Masvingo- Former MDC and Zanu PF legislators have resorted to horse betting in the wake of socio-economic challenges, it has emerged.
At least three former MDC legislators and two former Zanu PF MPs have been spotted at betting centres in the city since they fell on hard times.
The three (Jeffryson Chitando, Earnest Mudavanhu, and Oliver Chirume) have since left the MDC and joined the PDP led by Tendai Biti while the two former Zanu PF MPs have reportedly fallen out of favour with Grace Mugabe such that they can no longer get benefits from the ruling party.
 
The betting spots have increasingly grown popular as unemployed residents seek means of survival. Scores of such residents spend several hours per day at betting centres anticipating to win cash to pay utility bills among other expenses . The Zanu PF government is seemingly clueless regarding employment creation and the much touted ZIMASSET programme has only benefitted Zanu PF functionaries .
 
“We are even struggling to accommodate our clients these days. Some former MPs also spend most of their time here as they seek to raise money for survival.It seems the former legislators have fallen on hard times these days.
We are also seeing former managers -an indication people are really struggling for survival ,”said a lady identified as Nakai .
One of the former MDC legislators From Gutu said betting was a form of entertainment but it is understood the former parliamentarians,who used to drive posh vehicles are wallowing in poverty.