adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
TWELVE Zanu-PF cadres are jostling for the Mwenezi East National Assembly seat following the recent expulsion of former MP Kudakwashe Bhasikiti from the ruling party.
Acting Zanu-PF provincial chairman, Cde Paradzai Chakona said they had received 12 CVs from those who are interested in the seat when a by-election is called.
Although the seat has not yet been declared vacant, he said it is a foregone conclusion that it soon will and a by-election would be held there, as the law stipulates that a person who ceases to be member of the party on whose ticket he won election, automatically loses his or her place in parliament.
Cde Chakona said the party held an inter-district meeting in Mwenezi East over the weekend where interested party members came forward.
He said the province would thoroughly vet everyone eyeing the seat as they do not want to second someone with a chequered record and has links to fired former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
“I can confirm that the provincial executive has received about 12 CVs from our members in Mwenezi East vying for the constituency. I don’t have the names at hand now because I’m away but I want to put it on record that the interest has been overwhelming,” said Cde Chakona.
“Of course the seat has not yet been declared vacant but it’s no secret that it’s now vacant following the dismissal of Bhasikiti.”
He said the party has made it clear that the imposition of candidates would not be tolerated.
“We’re not going to impose candidates but the ideal candidate should have the party at heart and should have a clear track record. We want someone who is known by the people and is not aligned to the Joice Mujuru cabal. The fortunate thing is that we know our members and their conduct when it comes to party issues,” he added.
Bhasikiti was expelled from the party for his links to Mujuru who plotted to unseat President Mugabe through illegal means.
In December last year, President Mugabe told a shaken Bhasikiti just before the start of a politburo meeting that he was in the “wrong basket”.
Online Reporter