Chronicle Editor
Nqobile Tshili, [email protected]
THE Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) filed double candidates for the Pelandaba-Tshabalala National Assembly seat in Bulawayo yesterday ahead of the February 2024 by-election.
Despite losing a High Court case in which the nine recalled party members challenged being barred from contesting in the December 9 by-election under the CCC name, the party went on to repeat the same mistake.
CCC interim secretary general Mr Sengenzo Tshabangu instigated the recalls and later approached the courts seeking an interdict to bar recalled members from contesting under the beleaguered party’s name, claiming they had ceased to be members of the party.
Nomination officer Mrs Sithembile Khupe said four candidates successfully filed to contest the February 3 by-election after the seat fell vacant following the recall of Mr Gift Ostallos Siziva.
The Nomination Court sat at the Tredgold Building, which houses the Bulawayo Magistrates Courts, to receive nomination papers for aspiring candidates.
Mr Siziva filed together with Ms Moreblessing Tembo, also from CCC with Cde Joseph Tshuma filing under Zanu-PF and Mr Abraham Nkomo of DOP.
Cde Tshuma and Mr Siziva sent election agents to submit their nomination papers.
In an interview, Ms Sithabile Mlilo who is backing Mr Siziva’s candidature said CCC is their only home and could therefore not file under any other name.
She said their hope was that their candidate will not be barred from contesting in the coming by-election.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chief elections officer, Mr Utloile Silaigwana, who observed proceedings of the nomination court expressed satisfaction with how events unfolded.
He said countrywide six nomination courts sat to accept candidates for six National Assembly candidates and 29 local authority seats.
Other vacant National Assembly seats are Goromonzi South, Seke, Chegutu West, Zvimba East and Mkoba North.
Meanwhile in Gweru, Mr Nyasha Chirikure who is deputy Provincial Elections officer in the Midlands Province said there will be a by-election for Mkoba North constituency on February 4 after three candidates successfully filed their nomination papers.
Cde Edgar Ncube of Zanu-PF, Mr Amos Chibaya of CCC and Mr Patrick Tayiya of DOP successfully filed their papers. — @nqotshili
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