Mafa bounces back

711 votes, Cde Reuben Marumahoko who was acting chairman, who had 513 votes and Cde Moffat Marashwa who got 52 votes.
Announcing the results at a Press briefing yesterday, Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Webster Shamu said the incident-free election provided a template for the establishment of a democratic order in the party.
“The election shows our detractors that Zanu-PF is an organised party that can apply equality of opportunities to its people,” he said.
Cde Shamu said the election showed that the success of the revolution depended on a party that is well organised.
“Our people have now begun to understand that the success of our revolution depends on a people that are well organised and working towards a common destiny,” he said.
“Zanu-PF champions the growth of our people into masters of their destiny. We are the custodians of the revolution.”
Two of the losing candidates who were present when the results were announced congratulated Cde Mafa.
Cde Marumahoko was said to be on his way to the command centre in Chinhoyi when the results were announced.
Cde Mafa urged the losing candidates to join him in pushing the Zanu-PF agenda, and promised to work with everyone from the grassroots.
He pledged to safeguard the interests of the party by ensuring that unity prevails in the province.
“I would like to thank the people of Mashonaland West for maintaining confidence in me and showing their love for me after two years in the wilderness,” said Cde Mafa.
Cde Mafa was displaced after a vote of no confidence was passed on him in 2010 and has been battling to be reinstated after the national disciplinary committee cleared him.
Cde Chidhakwa said the election strengthened the intra-party democratic system.
He said the provincial chairmanship election charted a path for the party and was an example of how primary elections should be conducted.
Cde Marashwa said the poll was free and fair and promised to work with Cde Mafa.
He said people’s views were expressed during the elections and the results should be accepted.
Voting which was scheduled to start at 10am on Saturday was delayed owing to verification of ballot papers.
It only started around 2pm, resulting in the counting