adminFrom George Maponga in Masvingo
Several sitting MDC-T legislators in Masvingo who failed the confirmation test are facing their political Waterloo on Sunday when they are expected to face stiff challenge from newcomers during the party’s primary elections to choose candidates for the forthcoming harmonised polls. The MDC-T would this weekend hold primary elections in Gutu North, Zaka Central, Gutu Central and Chiredzi West.
Primary elections would also be held in Gutu North to choose the beleaguered party’s candidate after incumbent legislator Mr Hamandishe Maramwidze pulled out of the contest.
However, in a development that would further widen cracks in the party primary elections in Bikita East which is held by the party’s national executive member Mr Edmore Marima and Zaka North held by the MDC-T provincial organising secretary Mr Enerst Mudavanhu have been further postponed under the pretext that the two are ill.
In Gutu Central, sitting legislator Mr Oliver Chirume who failed the confirmation test will fight for his political survival against three other candidates, Mr Lloyd Mupfudze, Mr Kenneth Nhemachena and Mr Lovemore Zviundura.
Zaka Central representative and MDC-T provincial spokesperson Mr Harrison Mudzuri will also be battling for his political life after he also failed the confirmation test. Mr Mudzuri has been challenged by lawyer Mr Paul Urayayi and Mr James Mushonga for the Zaka North seat.
In Chiredzi West, legislator Mr Moses Mare is fighting three candidates after he also failed the confirmation exercise.
Mr Mare will face Mr Musa Damascus, Mr Justice Zivave and Mr Stanley Temba for the Chiredzi West MDC-T ticket.
Mrs Henerica Takaona, Dr Tichinani Mavetera, Mr Gerald Chitsa and Mr Antony Chidhanguro are fighting for the Gutu North constituency.
“There is anxiety all over because it is certain that the sitting legislators who are going into the primary elections will lose against the newcomers.
Most of the the legislators are being punished for abusing the Constituency Development Fund,’’ said an MDC-T insider who preferred to remain unnamed.
MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairman Mr Wilstaf Sitemere denied that the weekend primaries would spell the end of the careers of the sitting legislators.
“We cannot really say its a vote of no confidence. Going for primary elections does not mean they will lose. If people still want them, they will vote for them. We are a democratic party and after all, the sitting legislators who are going for primaries are only three,’’ he said.
Mr Sitemere scoffed at suggestions that his party was shielding Mr Mudavanhu and Mr Marima in Zaka North and Bikita East respectively saying the pair was ill.
He said fate of the pair and their constituencies would be decided in due course.
Online Reporter