Two Zanu-PF members battle for Mbizo ticket in primaries

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
TWO Zanu-PF members in Kwekwe will contest in the party’s primary poll on April 9 for the Mbizo seat, which is among the 14 that were declared vacant recently by Parliament. In an interview after a provincial coordinating committee meeting held yesterday in Gweru,  Zanu-PF Midlands acting provincial chairperson,  Cde Kizito Chivamba said three candidates had submitted their CVs, but one was disqualified  from the primary election as he had a pending disciplinary case.

Cde Chivamba said the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association provincial chairperson Cde Knowlet Hove, Mbizo councillor, Cde Vongaishe Mupereri and a party member Cde David Juro Mutimwimi had handed in their CVs for consideration.

He said Cde Mutimwimi’s papers were rejected after the provincial elections directorate noted that he was not in the district structures and had a pending disciplinary matter.

“The provincial election directorate was meeting today (yesterday) to consider CVs for party candidates for Mbizo constituency.  We received three and one of them was disqualified. We dismissed one for Cde David Juro Mutimwimi since he isn’t in the district executive structures,” said Cde Chivamba.

“He isn’t a member of the district according to guidelines from the national executive we followed during the 2013 harmonised elections and therefore he couldn’t be allowed to participate in the primary elections.”

He said Cde Mutimwimi was being mischievous by submitting his curriculum vitae.

Cde Chivamba said the primary election will be held on April 9 to come up with a candidate to represent the party in the Mbizo by-election set for June, 10.

Meanwhile, the MDC Renewal Team’s Settlement Chikwinya, who lost the Mbizo seat after it was declared vacant said he was going to be guided by his party on participating in any elections.

“We’ve our matter before the court and we aren’t worried.  At the same time I will stand guided by my party’s position on participating in elections,” said Chikwinya.

President Mugabe set June 10, as the date for by-elections to fill the 14 vacant seats.

The by-elections will be held on the same date as those for Headlands and Hurungwe West which became vacant following the expulsion of Didymus Mutasa and Temba Mliswa from Zanu-PF and subsequently, parliament.