adminMunyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent/Harare Bureau
CDE Vongaishe Mpereri is the Zanu-PF candidate for the Mbizo parliamentary by-election after garnering 2,299 votes to Cde Knowlet Hove’s 352 in a primary poll held on Saturday.
Ruling party spokesperson for Midlands Cde Cornelius Mpereri confirmed the result.
He said the elections were conducted in a peaceful environment and the losing candidate graciously accepted defeat.
The winning candidate, already a councillor in Mbizo, is the provincial spokesperson’s younger brother.
“Cde Vongaishe Mpereri got 2,299 votes while Cde Knowlet Hove got 352 and we had 28 spoilt papers. The primary election was very peaceful, free and fair. We didn’t receive any complaints from the candidates or their polling agents,” said the provincial spokesperson.
He said Zanu-PF must consolidate its dominance in the province by bagging the seat in the June by-election, to be held together with others in 15 constituencies in other parts of the country.
In an interview, the winning candidate expressed gratitude to fellow party members who had elected him to represent the party.
“I’m very happy that I’ve been chosen to represent the party. We’ve a mammoth yet imperative task to ensure we bag the seat which was previously taken by MDC-T.
“People have confidence in the party and it’s become clear that all other parties don’t have the people at heart and only wish to enrich themselves at the expense of the electorate. We’re hopeful that we will win the seat,” he said.
Zanu-PF also successfully conducted primary elections on Saturday in seven other constituencies in Harare and Manicaland and has announced candidates who will represent the party in the by-elections set for June 10, should by-elections become necessary by the close of the Nomination Court on Thursday.
The Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo was unanimously endorsed for Tsholotsho North.
The 14 constituencies fell vacant after the recall of 21 MDC-T legislators from Parliament last month, which will see the MDC-T filling the other seven seats which it won on proportional representation in the July 31 2013 harmonised elections.
Harare provincial chairman Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa announced the results for the province yesterday and commended the conduct of the candidates.
Cde Psychology Maziwisa will represent the party in Highfield West after polling 840 votes, beating Cdes Emmanuel Juta (270), Alexander Matafi (200), Norbert Chikumbo (34) and Regis Muguva (23).
In Glen View South, Cde Pious Madzinga won with 191 votes, beating Cdes Doubt Mhike (159), Tawanda Musengi (103), Gladys Muvuti (68) and Musafare Muchemwa (7).
Cde Betty Kaseke will represent Kuwadzana after managing 572 votes ahead of Cdes Lloyd Makuwe (308), Tauya Mauka (36) and Joseph Mutezo (148).
In Kambuzuma, Cde Tinashe Maduza got 891 votes beating Cde Oliver Chidau (378), Cde Samuel Mvurume (66) and Cde Samuel Chinyowa (62).
The Dzivaresekwa primary election was won by Cde Omega Hungwe who polled 679 votes to beat Cdes Never Kowo (253), Francis Chanduru (66), William Muhipe (47) and Tichaona Kapfunde (5).
Cde Terrence Mukupe polled 651 in Harare East, beating Cdes Mavis Gumbo (369), Stanley Mau Mau (111), Chris Chuchu (14), Justice Zvandasara (151), Margaret Sithole (20) and Milton Chaniwa (31).
Speaking afer the elections, Cde Mau Mau said he was ready to work with Cde Mukupe since he was “the best candidate” for the constituency.
Cde Esau Mupfumi will represent the party in Dangamvura-Chikanga after garnering 1,110 votes followed by Cdes Yard Binali (745), Reketai Duru (586), Kenneth Muchina (522) and Future Pariyana (67).
Meanwhile, Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe MP elect, Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa held a victory celebration in Mvuma where she thanked the electorate for voting for her in the by-election.
“I would like to thank you all for showing confidence in me and the party. I promise that I will deliver as I promised in the campaign.
“Zanu-PF has the people at heart and will work tirelessly to transform the lives of the people for the better.
“I would like to ensure that all rural women are empowered as a partial fulfilment of the Zimbabwe Agenda for Sustainable Socio-Economic Transformation (Zim-Asset) economic blue print,” she said.
Online Reporter