admincouncillors were defeated in the internal poll on Monday.
The MDC-T held its primary elections to nominate candidates who would represent the party in the harmonised elections save for constituencies previously held by former MDC defectors.
However, the three, Ms Nomalanga Mzilikazi Khumalo (Umzingwane), Thandeko Zinti Mkandla (Gwanda North) and Norman Mpofu (Bulilima East) would contest with other aspiring candidates on a date yet to be announced. MDC-T insiders said there was hot debate on how the party should handle the trio. They said, however, it looks like Ms Khumalo, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and Mr Mkandla might not make it if they contest as the people they have been working with were “white-washed,” in the primary elections for local government representatives.
“It looks like Ms Khumalo and Mkandla are in trouble if they are subjected to primary elections because the people they were backing to run as councillors were defeated,” said a party official in Gwanda yesterday.
“The structures of the party do not want these people and they have said it on many occasions. They should just go back to Welshman Ncube.”
However,provincial vice-chairperson for the women’s league Mrs Juliet Nkiwane was elected to represent Gwanda Central after beating her boss, Mrs Nomathemba Ndlovu by 137 votes to 87 while Mr Mqabuko Nkomo came third with 41. Mr Mthokozisi Bhebhe garnered 16. In Gwanda South, Mr Akim Moyo was endorsed to represent the constituency while in Beitbridge East Mr Morgan Ncube won.
In Beitbridge West, Mr Moffat Ndou was not contested while in Bulilima West Mr Ready Ndlovu was elected as the party’s candidate. Insiza South and North would be represented by a Mr Dube and a Mr Matikiti.
Contacted for comment yesterday, MDC-T provincial chairperson Mr Watchy Sibanda declined to shed light on the date of primary elections for Ms Khumalo, Mr Mkandla and Mr Mpofu.
“I told you that I don’t speak to any reporter from your paper and even if we call for a press conference you will not be invited because of the lies you have been writing about our party,” he said.
Our Bulawayo Bureau was on Monday barred by some party members from covering primary elections for Gwanda Central, which were held at the party’s provincial headquarters in Gwanda. In Matabeleland North two MPs Joel Gabbuza Gabuza (Binga South) and Brian Tshuma (Hwange Central) were confirmed while Phinias Masuku won the primaries for Umguza constituency.
Sitting MPs Gift Mabhena (Hwange West) and Patrick Sibanda (Binga North) were not confirmed after they failed to garner the two thirds majority.
Online Reporter