Tinashe Sambiri– Freedom Fighters for Change (FFC) leader Michael Makaza has accused the ruling ZANU-PF party of abandoning urban communities, saying decades of poor governance have left places like Kembo Dziwarasekwa trapped in neglect, decaying infrastructure and human suffering.

In a statement released on Friday, Makaza said conditions in Kembo Dziwarasekwa reflect a broader crisis of leadership and accountability in Zimbabwe’s urban areas.

“I stand before you today with a heavy heart, eyes fixed on the mud-soaked streets, the broken roads, the children wading through filth, and the weary faces of our mothers and fathers who deserve dignity, not despair,” Makaza said.

He described the high-density suburb as a symbol of broken promises, noting that it should be thriving but instead tells a story of abandonment. “This is Kembo Dziwarasekwa, a place in Harare that should be a beacon of hope, yet it lies drowned in neglect, a stark reminder of a government that has forgotten its people,” he said.

Makaza directly blamed ZANU-PF for the state of affairs, arguing that its long rule has failed ordinary citizens. “ZANU-PF must go — not because we wish ill, but because their 45 years of power have delivered nothing but potholes, power cuts, and empty promises,” he said.

He highlighted persistent problems faced by residents, including roads that turn into rivers after every rainfall, lack of proper drainage, shortages of clean water and unsafe routes for schoolchildren. Makaza also pointed to understaffed health facilities and under-resourced schools as evidence of systemic neglect.

Outlining FFC’s demands, Makaza called for “immediate rehabilitation of roads and drainage in Kembo Dziwarasekwa” and insisted on “accountable leadership that invests in public services instead of lining pockets.”
He also stressed the need for social justice, saying, “Every Zimbabwean deserves a future built on fairness, not fear. Justice for the voiceless is not optional.”

Positioning his party as an alternative, Makaza said FFC would stand with struggling communities. “Freedom Fighters for Change is here to listen, to act, and to lead. We will not stand idle while our brothers and sisters suffer,” he said.

Addressing residents directly, he added, “Your pain is our pain. Your cry for change fuels our resolve.”
Makaza concluded with a warning to the ruling party, declaring, “Your time of corruption and complacency is ending. The people’s verdict will be delivered at the ballot, and it will be resounding.”

He ended his statement with a pledge of renewal and unity, saying, “Together we will rebuild Zimbabwe — one community, one road, one dream at a time,” before signing off with, “A luta continua! Long live Zimbabwe! Long live Kembo Dziwarasekwa! Long live FFC!”