adminPamela Shumba Senior Reporter
THIRTY-TWO Zanu-PF members in Bulawayo have expressed interest in contesting in the party’s primary elections set for April 11 to fill five vacant parliamentary seats in the province.Parliament recently expelled 21 former MDC-T legislators who joined the MDC Renewal Team. Among the 21 are seats in Bulawayo, Lobengula, Luveve, Mpopoma-Pelandaba, Pumula and Makokoba constituencies.
Bulawayo provincial commissar Cde Canaan Ncube yesterday said the province was prepared for the by-elections as he announced the full list of the aspiring candidates.
Cde Ncube said the province accommodated every qualified member of the party during the selection process to make sure that there was no imposition of candidates.
He said the list will be sent to the national headquarters in Harare, where the national elections directorate will vet the candidates and send back the approved list before the primary election date.
“As the provincial elections directorate, we used the recommended guidelines to compile the list of our aspiring candidates. The list will be sent to Harare for further verification before April 11,” said Cde Ncube.
“I’m glad to say that people are happy with the selection process and they are ready for the elections. After the by-elections, we’ll intensify campaigns and try as much as we can to mobilise voters so that Zanu-PF takes back all the seats.”
In Luveve constituency, 12 candidates will battle it out to take over from Reggie Moyo.
These are Cdes William Mpopoti, Nicholas Mhlanga, Maxwell Chigerwe, Annah Moyo, Norman Ngwenya, Thabani Phiri, Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo, Kidwell Mujuru, Elifas Tshuma, Oddie Moyo, Carlven Chitsunge, and Quiet Moyo.
Cdes Christopher Dube, Mayideyi Mpala, Tariroyashe Zhou, Delight Ngwenya, Sindisani Mpofu, Augustine Mpofu and Antony Ndlovu, will contest for the Lobengula constituency, which was under Samuel Sipepa Nkomo.
For the Makokoba seat, Rtd Colonel Tshinga Dube, Cdes Mpehlayabo Malinga, Shadreck Mukaro, Allen Khanye and Peter Nyoni will battle it out to take over from Gorden Moyo.
In Pelandaba-Mpopoma constituency, voters will have to choose their candidates among Cdes Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Joseph Tshuma, Alfred Mpofu, Edmore Kazingizi, and Cuthbert Makhulumo to replace Bekithemba Nyathi
In Pumula, Cdes Godfrey Malaba, Khumbulani Mpofu and Kennias Sibanda will contest in the constituency to take over from Albert Mhlanga.
Online Reporter