Party completes primaries

George Maponga in Mwenezi and Innocent Ruwende in Mbire
Zanu-PF has completed its primary elections for by-elections in three parliamentary constituencies set for September 19, with Cde Joshua Moyo winning in Mwenezi East, Cde Douglas Karoro in Mbire and Cde Lawrence Katsiru in Marondera Central.

The results for Mwenezi East and Mbire were announced yesterday, while Cde Katsiru was declared the winner on voting day on Wednesday.

In Mwenezi East, Cde Moyo will replace Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti, Cde Karoro will replace Mr David Butau in Mbire while Cde Katsiru will take the place of Mr Ray Kaukonde in Marondera Central.

Messrs Bhasikiti, Butau and Kaukonde were recently expelled from Zanu-PF and subsequently from Parliament for supporting a cabal led by expelled former Vice President Joice Mujuru.

Cde Moyo shrugged off the challenge from nine other candidates to win the sole ticket to represent Zanu-PF in the by-election after polling 1 203 votes in an election characterised by low turnout.

Announcing the results, presiding officer and Zanu-PF deputy secretary for Administration, Cde July Moyo, said the voting was peaceful, although the process was marred by logistical challenges.

He said results came late as some voting centres were almost 200 kilometres away from the command centre at Neshuro Growth Point.

In the primaries, Cde Marvelous Chifumuro came second with 893 votes, Cdes Webster Muzara (812), Jabulani Mberesi (499), Patrick Mandebvu (451), Cleotas Muchara (447), Alec Murefu (204), Justice Sithole (194), Painos Hungwe (174) and Clara Shumba (75).

There were 146 spoilt papers.

Cde Karoro was declared the winner for Mbire with 2 428 votes by presiding officer, Cde Omega Hungwe.

His nearest rival, Cde Romeo Chisasa, got 1 338 votes, Cdes Paul Mazikana (918), Charles Mutukudzi (735), Nathan Muzeza (730), Robson Chidongo (632), Theresa Nyowani (379), Lloyd Gunyungo (161), Cleopas Hamandishe (337) and Fellow Chivhenge (183).

There were 66 spoiled papers.

Cde Hungwe urged the losing candidates to be patient and wait for their turn.

In Marondera Central, Cde Katsiru polled 1 254 votes, Cdes Cleopas Kundiona (899), Lucas Chimoka (883), Jerry Gotora (189), Ralph Chimanikire (114), Benard Taruvinga (81), Michael Matenga (52), Nelson Watyoka (41), Harold Gamu (40), Douglas Chitekuteku (17) and Patrick Makombe (16). The nomination court will sit on Monday in Masvingo for Mwenezi East, Marondera for Marondera Central and Bindura for Mbire.