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ZANU-PF Manicaland youth and women’s leagues will tomorrow convene in their districts to elect four candidates to fill the slots allocated to the province in their respective national executives.
On Sunday, the Provincial Electorate Directorate will convene in Mutare to select two members from the top four candidates from each wing — who will be heads of portfolio in the national executives and automatically become Central Committee members.
The youth conference will run from August 7 to 10.
The women’s league conference will be convened later on.
Eight candidates, whose Curriculum Vitae (CVs) were approved to stand for elections in the national youth executive include the Makoni West Member of House of Assembly Cde Kudzanai Chipanga; Betty Dhliwayo (Chipinge); Singathini Dhlakama, Agnes Chigwada and Adactus Makaya (all Mutare); Lovemore Chibvura (Nyanga), Felistas Dumba (Mutasa) and Cde Admire Mahachi (Zimunya-Marange).
Chipanga is bidding for the second most powerful post of deputy secretary for youth affairs in their national executive.
The candidate who lands the post automatically becomes a Politburo member.
Cde Chipanga will lock horns with three other candidates, namely Cde Mike Gava and the incumbent Cde Edison Chakanyuka.
Nine candidates who are contesting the four vacant posts in the women’s league are Senator Monica Mutsvangwa, Mutare South legislator Cde Nyasha Chikwinya, Cde Happiness Nyakuedzwa (Makoni), Cde Alice Mutindori (Mutare), Cde Octavia Mutemararo (Nyanga), Cde L. Chigwedere (Mutasa), Cde Agatha Mugomba (Makoni), Cde Jane Knight-Mabuto and Cde Letina Undenge (all Chimanimani).
Voters will elect all the four candidates of their choice through a secret ballot.
The voting process will be supervised by eight Central Committee members. Dr Joseph Made will take charge of proceedings in Buhera, Cde Fred Kanzama (Chimanimani), Cde Isau Mupfumi (Chipinge), Cde Mutonhodza (Makoni), Cde Mike Nyambuya (Mutare), Cde Shadreck Chipanga (Mutasa), Cde Chris Mushohwe (Nyanga) and Cde Enock Porusingazi (Zimunya-Marange).
Zanu-PF national secretary for women affairs, Cde Oppah Muchinguri, said candidates should be elected on merit not as a result of inducement or coercion.
Cde Muchinguri also warned youths who are above the 35 years cap against standing.
Among those eventually disqualified over age restrictions were Cdes Joshua Sacco and Sheila Mutsenhu.
She said the era of age-cheating was over in the youth league.
“Imi mayouth, do not elect people who are in the departure lounge. Unoona nechemberewo, unoda kuendepi, siyirai vana vane makore 35. You will not fool us tinonyatsoziva kuti iyi ichembere,” said Cde Muchinguri.
Cde Muchinguri blamed limited participation of girls in politics on fear of sexual abuse by party chefs.
“The girl-child is hesitant to join politics, she fears abuse. They fear iwaya mazidhara anoita basa rekujingilise vanasikana. How can there be continuity in the party if the girls are not involved?” said Cde Muchinguri.
Cde Mvundura also warned party members against vote-buying and factionalism.He also complained about backstabbing, a vice he repeatedly bemoaned as destroying the party.
“Our performance as Manicaland should not nose-dive but escalate. We can only improve if we stop back-stabbing and holding unsanctioned factional meetings. As we go for elections, many among you are going to use money.
“But if we as a province ask for a donation of $5 000, we pour blood, tears and sweat to raise it — but election time you see people with huge wards of money,” said Cde Mvundura.
He took a swipe at what he described as reactionary forces in the party, accusing them of pulling in a different direction.
Online Reporter