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Tinomuda Chakanyuka/Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Senior Reporters
BULAWAYO businessmen Mr Raj Modi and Mr Mathew Smith are among 65 aspiring candidates who have submitted their CVs to contest in the ruling party Zanu-PF’s primary elections to choose candidates to represent the party in the forthcoming harmonised elections, Sunday News can reveal.
The publication has it on good authority the businessmen will also join the party bigwigs, Youth League and Women’s League members who are also vying for the tickets to represent the party. The party’s provincial leadership was not forthcoming with names of the aspiring candidates, but impeccable sources revealed some of the names that have dropped their CVs.
Prominent businessman Mr Modi, according to sources, is eyeing Bulawayo East while Mr Smith is reportedly eyeing Bulawayo South. Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Dr Callistus Ndlovu, sources said, is eyeing the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province senatorial seat, and will contest Politburo member Cde Joshua Malinga.
Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial secretary for administration Cde Eliphas Mashaba submitted his papers for Nketa-Emganwini National Assembly constituency. Cde Mlungisi Moyo, the party’s provincial secretary for finance has submitted his papers to contest for the Bulawayo Central National Assembly seat where he is likely to contest Manifest Security managing director Cde Ernest Makandigona Shora.
Zanu-PF Youth League Bulawayo provincial chairperson Cde Khumbulani Mpofu has submitted his papers for the Pumula National Assembly seat where he will battle it out with Cde Godfrey Malaba, the sitting MP. Zanu-PF provincial spokesperson Cde Christopher Sibanda could not give the names and numbers of aspiring candidates who had submitted CVs to contest in the party’s primary elections. He said the province was still in the process of collating the figures and the candidates would be vetted afterwards.
“As for now I can’t give you the correct numbers because we are still collating the figures. Maybe if you check with me tomorrow (today) after the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC meeting) I may have the figures,” he said.
In Midlands, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant-General Sibusiso Moyo will represent the party in the Mberengwa Senatorial after his name was confirmed unchallenged by the provincial election directorate. In an interview after the compilation of the provisional Midlands Province list making up councillors, members of the National Assembly, Senators and Provincial Council who will stand against each other during the forthcoming primary elections, Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube said they received many CVs from aspiring candidates. The meeting was graced by First Lady Amai Mnangagwa.
“We received a lot of CVs from the aspiring party members and of note is the CV of Lt Gen Moyo which was accepted unchallenged for the primary elections to be held soon,” he said.
Eng Ncube said the fate of senior Zanu-PF party members namely Cdes Tafanana Zhou, Chiratidzo Mabuwa and Tsitsi Zhou whom the provincial executive recommended to be suspended can contest as they wait for the determination from the National Disciplinary Committee.
“In relation to the senior party members whom we recommended for suspension, their cases are still under active consideration and the final decision will be made by the Zanu-PF election commission, taking into consideration recommendation from the provincial election directorate,” he said.
Cdes Zhou, Mabuwa and Tsitsi Zhou were at loss of words as they thanked Amai Mnangagwa for playing a motherly figure which saw them getting a chance to participate in the primary elections. Amai Mnangagwa came straight from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after arriving from China where she had accompanied President Mnangagwa.
“Thank you very much mother for allowing us to participate in the primary elections, I will forever be thankful,” said Cde Zhou.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF Midlands provincial leadership has recommended that the suspended Kwekwe Central legislator Cde Masango Matambanadzo be disqualified from participating in the primary elections. Cde Matambanadzo was suspended for alleged insubordination and creating parallel structures.
Party provincial spokesperson Cde Cornelius Mupereri said: “We reached the decision after all due processes were conducted. This was after the disciplinary committee sat down and went over the matter before making the decision and Cde Matambanadzo will not participate in the forthcoming primary elections.”
In Matabeleland North, the party’s provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo said the party had forwarded the CVs to the election commission for vetting. He was not in a position to reveal names of those who had submitted their CVs. Cde Moyo is, however, one of the aspiring candidates, eyeing the Umguza Constituency National Assembly seat held by Home Affairs Minister Dr Obert Mpofu who announced that he was vacating the seat.
“We received 400 CVs combined for local government, National Assembly and Senate. For now I’m not allowed to say any names until the commission completes the vetting process,” he said.
In Matabeleland South the party’s provincial chairperson Cde Rapelang Choene said they were still in process of collating the figures and names of aspiring candidates who had submitted their CVs. Commenting on the overwhelming response to the call for CVs for primary elections, Zanu-PF National Political Commissar Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Dr Engelbert Rugeje said this was a sign of a new era in the party. He said the response was a result of the party’s position against imposition of candidates.
“People are now free to express their interests to represent the party. This shows that the era of imposition of candidates has passed. We are in a new dispensation in which people are free to express themselves politically,” he said.
Zanu-PF will hold its primary elections on 5 May.-@irielyan
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter