Six file for presidency

Chronicle Reporters/Harare Bureau
President Mugabe, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, MDC leader Professor Welshman Ncube, Zapu leader Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and the leader of the little known ZDP Mr Kisinoti Mkwazhe successfully filed their papers with the Nomination Court in Harare yesterday to contest for the country’s top post while businessman Mr Mutumwa Mawere, who is linked to a new political party UMD, was disqualified.
This sets the stage for the harmonised elections set for 31 July this year.

Zanu-PF legal secretary Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa filed papers on behalf of President Mugabe, Mr Alex Magaisa on behalf of PM Tsvangirai and MDC secretary general Mrs Priscilla Misihairabwi Mushonga for Prof Ncube.

The Nomination Court for the members of the House of Assembly, senatorial, women quota and provincial councils also went on smoothly in some parts of the country although results could not be obtained in some provinces such Bulawayo and the Midlands.

In Matabeleland South the provincial elections officer, Mr Jotham Nyathi said Cde Kembo Mohadi of Zanu-PF, the incumbent MP for Beitbridge East is being challenged by Mr Morgan Ncube of MDC-T, Keabetso Dube (MDC), Mr Lawrence Tshili (Independent) and Mr Enos Tshili (Independent).

In Beitbridge West, the incumbent Cde Metrine Mudau of Zanu-PF will battle it out with Mr Moffat Ndou of MDC-T, Mr John Tlou (MDC), Mr Tambulo Muleya (Independent) and Ayiseli Mudau of Zapu.

In Gwanda North, Gwanda businessman Cde Madodana Sibanda of Zanu-PF is competing with Mr Thandeko Zinti Mnkandla (MDC-T), Mr Paul Themba Nyathi (MDC), Mr Mika Viyani Masiye (Zapu) and Mr Gift Sibanda and independent.

In Gwanda Central, Zanu-PF’s Cde Edson Gumbo is battling it out with the incumbent, Mr Patrick Dube of MDC, Mrs Juliet Nkiwane (MDC-T),   and Mr Mthetho Mlilo of Zapu.

In Gwanda South, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Cde Abednigo Ncube of Zanu PF is facing Mr Akem Moyo (MDC-T), Mr Garfield Makwati (MDC) and Mr Rabson Ncube (Zapu).

In Bulilima East, Cde Mathias Siqhoza Ndlovu of Zanu-PF is having a go again Mr Norman Mpofu (MDC-T), Mr Pilate Ndebele (MDC) and Mr Solani Moyo, the MDC-T organising secretary for Matabeleland South, who is standing as an independent, probably in protest over the imposition of Mr Mpofu.

In Bulilima West, Retired Major Lungisani Nleya of Zanu-PF will battle it with the incumbent, Mr Moses Mzila Ndlovu of MDC, Mr Read Ndlovu (MDC-T) and Mr Artwell Ndlovu of Zapu.

In Mangwe, South Africa based businessman, Cde Obedingwa Mguni of Zanu-PF is squaring it off with the incumbent, Mr Moses Mkhosi (MDC), Mrs Jessi Ngwenya (MDC-T) and Mr Matthew Sibanda (Zapu).

In Insiza North, Zanu-PF provincial chairman and Deputy Minister of Public Service, Cde Andrew Langa is being challenged by Mr Bekezela Mpofu (MDC-T), Mr Qhubani Moyo (MDC) and Mr Ernest Ndlovu (Zapu).

In Insiza South, former Radio Two DJ Cde Malaki Nkomo of Zanu-PF will battle it out with the incumbent, Mr Siyabonga Malandu Ncube of MDC, Mr Ntandokayiphikiswa Ndlela (MDC-T), Mr Nkululeko Sibanda, also of MDC-T and an independent, Mr Dumezweni Dube.

Cde Never Khanye of Zanu-PF is facing Mr Lovemore Moyo (MDC-T), who has been the Speaker of Parliament, Mr Moses Ndlela of MDC and Mr Nicholas Dube (Zapu).

In Matobo South, Cde Soul Mahalima Ncube (Zanu-PF) will be contested by Mr Gabriel Ndebele (MDC-T), Mr Decent Bhajila (MDC) and Joachim Moyo (Zapu).

As for Umzingwane, Cde William Dehwa (Zanu-PF) will be contested by the imposed MDC-T candidate who is the Deputy Speaker of Parliament and incumbent for the area, Ms Nomalanga Khumalo (MDC-T), Mr Ngqabutho Dube (MDC) and Mrs Mildred Mnkandla of Zapu.

The accepted names of aspiring candidates for the Zanu-PF Senatorial seats in Matabeleland South are the National Chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo (Bulilima-Mangwe), Cdes Tambudzani Mohadi (Beitbridge), Ananias Nyathi (Matobo), Alma Baloyi Mkhwebu (Gwanda), Naison Khutshwekhaya  Ndlovu (Insiza) and Hallet Sibanda (Umzingwane).

The MDC-T candidates for the Senatorial seats are Mrs Sithembile Mlotshwa, Mr Watchy Sibanda, Mrs Tendai Moyo, Dumile Nkomo, Mr Kembo Dube, Mr Kemos Jamela while for MDC are Joyce Ndlovu, Mr Albert Ndlovu, Peggie Khumalo, Mr Jonathan Sibanda, Lorraine Sibanda and Mr Alfred Moyo.

The Zapu Senatorial candidates are Mr Nathaniel Basuthu, Phathekile Moyo, Mr France Ndlovu and Madeya Siziba. The other two aspiring candidates in Zapu were disqualified. These are Getrude Moyo because she is registered in Bulawayo and Queen Nyoni as she has no marriage certificate.

In Matabeleland North the results were announced at 10pm.
In the National Assembly for Binga North the candidates are Onias Sibanda (Zapu), Prince Sibanda (MDC-T) Dr Isaac Ndebele (Zanu-PF), Mr Philemon Manyamutale (MDC) and Godfrey Munyangwa (Free Zimbabwe Congress).

In Binga South the candidates are Cde Siyangaphi Muzambwa (Zanu-PF), Mr Timothy Mungwamba (MDC), Violet Mugori (FZC), Mr Godknows Mansukwa (Zapu) and Joel Gabuza Gabbuza (MDC-T).

Candidates for Bubi are Cde Clifford Sibanda (Zanu-PF), Mr Mkhuseli Hadebe (MDC), Mr Geneva Sibanda (Independent), Mr John Zolani Dlamini (Zapu) and Mr Mark Harold Ncube (MDC-T).

In Hwange Central, Cde Reeds Dube of Zanu-PF would contest against Mr Brian Tshuma (MDC-T) and Mr Felix Dlamini (MDC).
Zanu-PF’s Cde Fathi Mpofu will battle it out with  Salvation Nyoni (Independent), Mr Jealous Sansole (MDC), Mr Tose Sansole (MDC-T) and Mr John Ngwenya of Zapu for the Hwange East seat.

The candidates for Hwange West are Mr Gift Mabhena (MDC-T), Mr Godfrey Dube (MDC), Mr Ditshoni Nkomo (Zapu),  Victoria Falls businessman, Cde Bekithemba Mpofu of Zanu-PF as well as Chenhai Cheze an  independent.

Lupane East candidates are Cde Sithembile Gumbo (Zanu-PF), Mr Njabuliso Mguni (MDC-T), Mr Sibangiliwe Msipa (MDC), Mr Gezekile Mkwebu (Zapu) and Mr Kenneth Mhlanga (Independent).

For Lupane West, Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo (MDC-T) would battle it out with Mr Mhlaseli Mpofu (MDC), Mr Themba Mlala (Zapu) and Cde Martin Khumalo of Zanu-PF and Angeline Kheswa of MDC-T who is contesting as an independent.

Nkayi South candidates are Cde Stars Mathe (Zanu-PF), Mr Abednigo Bhebhe (MDC-T), Mr Cleopas Moyo (Zapu), Mr Jabulani Ndlovu (Zapu FP), Arthur Mhlupheki (MDC) and Mr Samuel Mpofu (CTD).

In Nkayi North, the incumbent Cde Sithembiso Nyoni of Zanu-PF is being challenged by Mr Lameck Ndlovu (MDC-T), Mr Simon Lusinga (MDC) and Mr Lawrence Siziba (Zapu).

In Tsholotsho North, Professor Jonathan Moyo of Zanu-PF is being challenged by Mrs Rose Sipepa Nkomo (MDC-T), Sethulo Ndebele (MDC) and Mr Absalom Dube of Zapu.

Tsholotsho South candidates are Mr Minutewell Ncube (MDC), Mr Melusi Gumpo (Zapu), Cde Zenzo Sibanda of  Zanu-PF and Mr Maxwell Dube (MDC-T).

Dr Obert Moses Mpofu (Zanu-PF) will fight it out with
Mr Mark Mbayiwa (Zapu), Mr Leonard Mhlanga (MDC) and Mr Edmund Masuku of MDC-T.

The Senatorial candidates for Zanu-PF are Cdes  Thokozile Mathuthu, Cain Mathema, Medeline Bhebhe, Richard Moyo, Alice Dube and Headman Moyo.

Those of the MDC-T are Alfina Juba,  Herbert Sinampanda, Rosemary Nyathi, Stephen Luphahla, and  Mxolisi Ndlovu.
Zapu Senatorial candidates are Sibongile Khupe, Jeremiah Khabo, Sithabile Nyathi, Edward Nyathi, Khathazile Moyo and Emmerson Sibanda.

MDC Senatorial candidates are Sakhile Gumede, Rabson Makhula, Lindiwe Sibanda, Mgezelwa Ncube, Nelly Nyathi and Andrew Tshaba.
In the National Assembly Women’s Quota the MDC-T would field Sibusisiwe  Bhuda, Dr Ruth Labode, Mr Lwazi Sibanda, Philis Ndlovu, Annastacy Moyo and Siphiwe Mabhena.

For Zanu-PF the candidates are Cdes Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu, Mail Nkomo, Molly Mnkandla, Sihle Moyo, Musa Ncube and Enia Nyoni.
Zapu candidates are Sikhethiwe Maseko, Marjory Demadema, Margaret Sibanda, Phejani Sibanda, Immaculate Mloyi and Petronella Ndebele.
MDC candidates are Annastacia Chikuni, Maryline Pullen,  Hawa Jele, Molly Dlodlo, Angeline Moyo and Irene Hadebe.

In Masvingo, the three major political parties fielded candidates in all House of Assembly seats.
Announcing the final list of candidates who successfully filed their papers, Masvingo provincial elections officer, Mr Rex Pudurai, said in Bikita West two Zanu-PF candidates, former advisor to Reserve Bank governor Dr Munyaradzi Kereke and musician Cde Elias Musakwa had their papers accepted to stand on the revolutionary party ticket.

Another major highlight was in Bikita South where Zanu-PF Women’s League chairperson Cde Shylet Uyoyo filed papers to stand as an independent candidate and would contest against Cde Jappy Jaboon of Zanu-PF and Mr Janhi Vharandani of MDC-T and another candidate from the smaller MDC.

Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial chairman Cde Lovemore Matuke, after the sitting of the Nomination Court said Cde Uyoyo had automatically expelled herself from the party by her move.

In Bulawayo, the Nomination Court was still to announce the names of the candidates who had been accepted by late last night.
The announcement kept being postponed and by 10.45 pm, the results were still not ready.

Zanu-PF candidates and those from MDC, MDC-T, Zapu managed to file their papers without major hiccups.
However, candidates from parties that include Khumbula Ekhaya Alliance, Mthwakazi Liberation Front (MLF), Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD), held up the process as most of their papers were not in order.

In Midlands, the Nomination Court sat at the Gweru Magistrates’ Courts with all aspiring candidates for the House of Assembly, Provincial Council and Senatorial elections submitting their papers before the 4pm deadline.

However, the verification process proved to be a strenuous and taxing exercise as it stretched deep into the night.
The process was still underway at the time of going to Press.

Aspiring candidates and their agents were still milling around the Nomination Court as late as 8 pm while a few who could fit into the small courtroom were seated inside.

Dismissed MDC-T councillors filed their papers as independent candidates for the council and National Assembly elections.
Gweru Mayor, Clr Tedius Chimombe will stand as an Independent in Gweru Urban election while former Zvishavane Town Chairperson, Mr Aluwis Zhou will fight for the Zvishavane-Ngezi seat. Both were dismissed from the MDC-T by the party’s national executive allegedly over corruption. Mr Aaron Chinhara who lost in the MDC-T primaries for Redcliff constituency also filed his papers to stand as an independent.

Six other MDC-T councillors will stand as independent candidates in the Gweru Urban Local Authority elections.
Defence Minister, Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa and Zanu-PF Midlands chairperson, Cde Jason Machaya, led the Zanu-PF candidates in filing their papers. The team also had Environment and Natural Resources Management Minister, Cde Francis Nhema, Foreign Affairs Minister, Dr Simbarashe Mumbengegwi as well as Minister of State in the Vice-President’s Office, Cde Flora Buka.

The party’s secretary for administration, Cde Francis Chikwira filed the nomination papers on behalf of all Zanu-PF candidates.
MDC-T team had Health and Child Welfare Minister, Dr Henry Madzorera, Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Mr Sesil Zvidzai and Mkoba controversial legislator, Mr Amos Chibaya leading party candidates.