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Lloyd Gumbo Herald Reporter
ZANU-PF candidates for the party’s provincial elections set for this weekend in the remaining seven provinces are raring to go despite delays for some in accessing the membership registers. According to the party constitution; “Members of the provincial executive council are elected at provincial conference by the delegates representing each party district in the province. The provincial elections are held once every three years.”
All the candidates who spoke to The Herald yesterday said they were ready for the polls, adding that everything was in place for the successful holding of the party polls.
Incumbent provincial chairpersons for Harare, Mashonaland East, West, Matabeleland North, South and Bulawayo would square-off against other party officials.
In Masvingo three new candidates – two sitting legislators and a former MP – all from Chiredzi would square off for the chairmanship following the suspension of Cde Lovemore Matuke.
Zanu-PF district executives composed of 102 members each would vote at the elections.
In Harare province, incumbent Cde Amos Midzi would square off with Cde Jaison Pasade – MP for Mt Pleasant – in the 159 party districts.
“We haven’t come across any hitches. In fact, we are meeting our leadership tomorrow for our preparation team convened by national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo,” said Cde Midzi.
Cde Pasade concurred with Cde Midzi but implored the party to ensure that incumbents do not go to the polls while still in office.
“I have not yet seen the voters’ roll but I understand that all the district executive members who voted at the primary elections will vote.
“However, I feel it is high time the commissariat took control of the process because both myself and Cde Midzi are aspiring candidates. I am afraid he may have an unfair advantage if he remains in control of the process if he remains as chairman,” said Cde Pasade.
In Bulawayo, Professor Callistus Ndlovu is being challenged by his deputy and former chairman, Cde Killian Sibanda and Cde Douglas Ndlovu.
There are 108 party districts who would vote in Bulawayo.
“We are ready for the elections. We have been ready since last week,” said Prof Ndlovu.
Cde Sibanda said he was equally ready although he preferred he had accessed the voters’ roll before the polls.
Cde Ndlovu said: “I was ready from the day I submitted my curriculum vitae. I am looking forward to uniting the province when I win. I want to ensure that we retain all the parliamentary seats we have lost to the MDC-T since 13 years ago.
“Unfortunately, we have not yet been given an opportunity to view the voters’ roll. The other guy (Prof Ndlovu) is still in office so he is refusing us access to the voters’ roll. We have an uneven ground where (Cde) Callistus is using party material, party cars and district leaderships to campaign. But I am still looking forward to crushing them at the elections.”
In Matabeleland North where there are 181 party districts, incumbent provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo is squaring off with his deputy Cde Reeds Dube.
“We are ready for the elections. We are just waiting for the elections. I am happy with the registration process and I am raring to go,” he said.
But Cde Dube had more complaints than compliments.
“I am ready to go but I am not happy with what I have seen in the last few days. I have been seeing so many vehicles on the ground campaigning for my opponent of which I know they are not his vehicles.
“This shows that there are other forces that are sponsoring him. I have visited every district and I have been meeting different cars in those districts. I am also not sure what is happening in terms of the voters’ roll because I have not seen it yet,” he said.
Mashonaland West chairperson Cde John Mafa said everything was in place for the elections in a province where there are 311 party districts.
Other cadres challenging for the top post in the province include former chairperson Cde Phillip Chiyangwa, party MP for Hurungwe West Cde Themba Mliswa, Cdes Nimrod Chiminya and Blessed Geza.
“Things are on course here for the people to choose whoever they want to lead them. The other candidates submitted their CVs but we never got time as the provincial leadership to vet them,” he said.
Efforts to get comments from the other four were fruitless.
In Mashonaland East, provincial chairperson Cde Ray Kaukonde would square off against Cdes Phillemon Mutongi and Samuel Maisiri.
There are 348 party districts in the province.
Cde Kaukonde was reluctant to comment.
Cde Mutongi said he was always ready for the polls, threatening to pull a shocker at the polls by defeating the incumbent and Cde Maisiri.
“I am just waiting for December 1 to be anointed as the new provincial chairman. I am not worried at all because I know I will win.
“I would have wanted to see the voters’ roll but it doesn’t matter because this is an internal election. What we want is for the party to unite if we are putting the party’s interests first,” said Cde Mutongi.
Cde Maisiri said: “I am ready for the elections. I am just waiting for the day though I would prefer seeing the voters’ roll first. But I am still hopeful that everything will be smooth.”
In Masvingo Chiredzi North MP, Cde Robert Mukwena would fight it out against Rtd Brigadier General Callisto Gwanedza who is Chiredzi South legislator and former legislator in the same constituency Cde Ailes Baloyi.
There are 384 districts in the province.
Cde Mukwena said: “We are ready for the elections. Everything is in order. I haven’t seen the voters’ roll but my opponents have no chance at all.”
In Matabeleland South, incumbent Cde Andrew Langa would stand against Cde Lloyd Siyoka.
Efforts to get comments from the duo was futile.
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