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Chronicle Reporters
THE Zanu-PF primary elections roar into life today in all the country’s provinces with candidates battling it out to represent the party in the council, Senatorial and National Assembly during the harmonised elections. Yesterday contesting candidates in all categories held campaigns in their respective constituencies.
Zanu-PF National Chairman and head of the party’s National Election Directorate (NED) Cde Simon Khaya Moyo said it was all systems go for the primary elections.
He said the provincial election directorates (PEDs) throughout the country held successful meetings on Sunday to review complaints by aspiring candidates after the confirmation of candidates by the Politburo last week.
“The election directorates did a thorough job and only a few complaints were reviewed across the board to the satisfaction of the complainants.
“They also discussed preparations for the conduct of the primary elections to be held tomorrow (today). The feedback indicates that preparations are going on very well in terms of logistical arrangements and other requisites,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
“It would appear that it is all systems go in all provinces and everybody is looking forward to the exercise. I must again commend the PEDs for doing a sterling job.”
Cde Khaya Moyo once again reminded party members to ensure that the primary elections were held in a free, fair, transparent and peaceful manner.
“I have no doubt that everybody will live up to the party expectations. By the end of the day tomorrow (today) we should be in a position to know the final list of candidates to be presented to the Nomination Court on Friday,” he said.
Cde Khaya Moyo said those who may not make it should not lose heart but should instead support the winners.
“In Zanu-PF there is no loser as such but competitors who may not have made it to the finishing line. There is always tomorrow. We are not only looking for aspiring candidates but also inspiring candidates.
“Other parties I notice have got expiring candidates. I wish all Zanu-PF candidates all the best in their noble efforts,” he said.
In Bulawayo the candidates held campaigns in most suburbs although some voluntarily pulled out of the race.
Those who pulled out include Cde Peter Baka Nyoni who was contesting Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube for Makokoba the constituency.
Cde Rose Phiri also withdrew her candidature from Ward Two council seat.
Provincial spokesperson Cde Michael Sikhosana said the candidates held successful campaigns in the city.
However, Bulawayo Central National Assembly aspiring candidate Dr Gatsha Mazithulela complained that his agents had deserted him, saying he suspected that his opponents bribed them.
Dr Mazithulela, an academic will battle it out with Cdes Eulyses Nowedza, Charles Chiponda, Mlungisi Moyo, Simangaliso Masuku and Charles Moyo.
Aspiring National Assembly candidate for Pelandaba-Mpopoma Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, who is being challenged by Cdes Joseph Tshuma and Peter Mvemve, said there were some people who were going around, saying he was dying and quickly dispelled the rumour.
“I received enquiries from some sections of the media over my health after rumours were spread that I am seriously ill, which is not true. Some people had started celebrating that I will die.
“I only went to St Annes Hospital in Harare for a review and I was declared totally fit. Whether I am in Bulawayo or not, campaigning does not stop because I have people on the ground,” said Dr Ndlovu.
In Matabeleland North provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo said a few council contestants and Cde Goodman Sibanda who was challenging Cde Martin Khumalo for Lupane West National Assembly seat, pulled out of the race.
He said all logistics were in place for today’s primaries.
“We are busy preparing for the primaries. The candidates in all categories are ready and polling officers have been deployed,” said Cde Moyo.
“Basically all logistics are in place and Politburo and Central Committee members are supervising the preparation. The command centre will be in Lupane.”
In Beitbridge the party trained 63 polling officers who will man 21 voting stations across the district. Three polling officers would be deployed per centre.
In Matabeleland South deputy provincial chairman Cde Rabelani Choeni led the training programme.
In the Midlands more than a thousand aspiring candidates, among them 232 women, will be contesting for the 296 wards in different districts.
Shurugwi district has 34 female candidates contesting in the council primary elections, making it the district with the highest number of contesting female candidates for local government elections.
Midlands Province Zanu-PF chairperson, Cde Jason Machaya said the party was more than prepared to hold the primaries after successfully training its polling officers.
Cde Machaya who is also the Midlands Governor said Zanu-PF has done its homework ahead of the harmonised elections. He described all the aspiring candidates as “quality individuals who are worth representing the party”.
“We are confident that whichever candidate wins the primaries will definitely win the election proper. We are happy with the calibre of aspiring
candidates we have. In fact our party will win overwhelmingly and the creature called the Inclusive Government will be dead and buried,” said Cde Machaya.
Midlands has 28 parliamentary seats and 296 (council) wards which are up for grabs in the harmonised elections.
Cde Machaya said the party started deploying polling officers to different corners of the province after completing training ahead of the primaries.
There was a hive of activity at the Zanu-PF district offices in Gweru yesterday as hundreds of polling officers waited to be deployed.
Some of the highlights of the primaries will be pitting Zanu-PF Politburo member and party spokesperson, Cde Rugare Gumbo against former Midlands Governor, Cde July Moyo. The two will be fighting for the Mberengwa Senatorial seat.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, will be fighting it out with former Midlands Zanu-PF deputy chairperson, Cde David Ruzive and Cde Frank Mbengo.
Midlands Governor, Cde Jason Machaya will be standing against Cde Tambai Masuka for the Gokwe South Senatorial seat.
In Matabeleland South, the chairman Cde Andrew Langa said polling officers were deployed to all wards last night.
In Masvingo the highlights would pit Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire who is being challenged by Cdes Maina Mandava and Clemence Magwarimba for Masvingo Senatorial seat while Cdes Josiah Hungwe and Samuel Mumbengegwi and Rexon Jaka would battle it out for Chivi/Mwenenzi Senate seat.
Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana will face Cde Meke Chamwadoro and Efraim Gwanangodza for Chivi Central seat in the National Assembly.
Masvingo Governor Cde Titus Maluleke will contest with five other candidates for the Chiredzi West seat.
Mwenezi East MP Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti will face two other contestants.
In Manicaland, renowned transport operator and Zanu-PF Central Committee member, Cde Isau Mupfumi, who owns cross border Senator Express buses, has withdrawn his candidature for the Mutare North constituency.
Cde Mupfumi’s withdrawal leaves seven candidates to contest the seat.
Initially nine candidates had submitted their curriculum vitaes to be considered as candidates for the parliamentary seat for Mutare North but the number was reduced to eight following the disqualification of former Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro’s CV on the basis of his suspension. In an interview yesterday, Cde Mupfumi, said he had decided to withdraw from the race to promote unity among party cadres and pledged to support the winner.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu