adminhad the support of the majority but were declared losers after massive rigging.
Police yesterday said they arrested three MDC-T supporters in Makoni Central — Patrick Sagandira (38), Lovemore Chifomboti (36) and Moses Ndowa (32) for assaulting supporters of losing candidate Grace Kwinjeh. Kwinjeh is a former journalist and founding member of the MDC while Sagandira was an aspiring candidate for Makoni Central, Chifomboti is an MDC-T chairperson for ward 10 and Ndowa is a party member.
“A misunderstanding between the two factions led by the aspiring candidates occurred on 22 June, 2013 during MDC-T primary elections conducted at Nyabadza business centre in Rusape,” said the police in a statement.
“Patrick Sagandira’s faction attacked Grace Kwinjeh’s faction using stones, resulting in the injury of one Tazviona Marima who sustained cuts on the lips.”
Police said they were holding Joseph Zindi, Peter Abasa and Joshua Mbeu for taking part in the violence.
“Any form of violence will not be tolerated and the police will bring to book anyone who fails to heed to the no to violence call,” said the police.
“Political leaders are urged to rein in their supporters and ensure that no one resorts to violence in the run-up during and after the harmonised elections.”
Kwinjeh has since blasted the MDC-T and revealed that she would contest her loss citing voting irregularities.
Former Daily News Editor Geoffrey Nyarota yesterday said the primaries which he lost to Mr Pishai Muchauraya in Makoni South were riddled with irregularities.
“Unfortunately, the confirmation process was fraught with irregularities, some of which amounted to outright fraud,” Nyarota said in the petition.
He said at the beginning of the electoral process convened by presiding officer Ms Rorato Dandajena voters were only allowed to vote after producing their national identification cards.
“Shortly after the process started, Ms Dandajena did a turn about,” he said.
“She announced that people holding receipts for purchase of MDC-T membership cards could now also vote.
“This new announcement met with loud howls of dismay and protests.”
Mr Nyarota said in an interview yesterday that he was trounced by Mr Muchauraya, but was a victim of electoral fraud.
He said a beast was slaughtered and prepared for voters at the premises of Mrs Susan Kapumha the MDC-T ward 29 chairlady where people were then issued with the receipts to use for purposes of voting.
“It is these illegal voters who helped Muchauraya to secure ‘victory’. We have in our possession evidence including photographs of how this fraud was committed,” Mr Nyarota said.
Mr Nyarota said people were prepared to testify and expose “this scandal of unprecedented proportions” in the annals of MDC-T history.
He said he was appealing to the MDC-T leadership to effectively and immediately declare the election null and void in the interests of justice, fairness and democracy.
MDC-T Manicaland provincial chairman, Mr Julius Magaramombe has also blasted his party for imposition of candidates.
Sources yesterday confirmed that the MDC-T’s standing committee met over the allegations following several complaints raised by several disgruntled candidates, but had disregarded the complaints and were proceeding with nomination process.
Online Reporter