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Andrew Muvishi Mash East Correspondent
A recent Press Club discussion organised by the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists in Marondera almost turned ugly when CCC members accused each other of taking bribes to influence the selection of the party’s candidates for the forthcoming harmonised elections.
This comes after the CCC fielded double candidates in Wards 5 and 10, and Marondera Central Constituency.
Speaking during the Mashonaland East Press Club discussion, Ward 10 councillor Mr Jimmy Jalifu accused “deputy cluster leader” Mr Caston Mateu, who is also a Marondera Central candidate, of receiving US$1 000 from a candidate.
He said Mr Mateu imposed Mr Thompson Magaluwu as Ward 10 candidate resulting in double candidature.
“Mateu received a US$1 000 bribe from Magaluwu, who was not a member of the party. During the selection of candidates, Magaluwu was not even part of the process. There were only two of us and the other candidate admitted defeat,” he said.
In response, Mr Mateu threatened to sue Mr Jalifu for defamation of character.
“Do you have evidence of what you are saying? I am going to sue you. I am a very principled person; how can I receive US$ 1 000 from Maguluwa?” he said.
“You successfully filed your papers with the aid of Forever Association of Zimbabwe (FAZ), that’s why you are accusing me of receiving bribes from candidates.”
Mr Misheck Manyere, another candidate for Marondera Central under CCC, said party’s selection process was shambolic and marred by corruption.
He also dismissed allegations by Mr Mateu that he forged signatures.
“I never forged signatures, there is no Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) in all of this. I don’t know anyone from FAZ. You are the FAZ (Mateu) because you are the one who brings candidates who did not go through the process,” he said.
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