Zanu PF gets head start in Manicaland 

 

Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter

THE ruling Zanu PF has recorded a head start in the race for the August 23 harmonised elections after the main opposition Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC) failed to register candidates for the local authority Women’s Quota slots at Rusape Town and Buhera Rural District Councils.

ZANU PF was the only party that successfully fielded candidates in all the categories in the province – 26 National Assembly aspiring candidates, 260 local authority councillors, six (Senate), 10 (Provincial Council), Youth Quota (2) and Women’s Quota (6), to make it a total of 390 candidates.

The ruling party’s provincial spokesperson, Cde Samson Matema said a total of 390 candidates managed to successfully lodge their papers with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) across all the categories.

Nominations of parliamentary, party lists for Senate, Women and Youth Quotas, as well as Provincial Councils were received at the provincial court in Mutare.

Those for local authority candidates were received at the respective council chambers using new delimitation boundaries.

To show an unmatched level of organisation, ZANU PF members heeded ZEC’s call to submit their nomination papers on Tuesday, a day before the court sat, so as to give themselves time to rectify any challenges like missing or incorrect documentation.

On the other hand, opposition parties arrived towards the end of the day, leading to the delay of the announcement of the Nomination Court results.

Said Cde Matema: “This speaks to the structural organisation inherent in the ZANU PF operations, and a precursor to the work ahead with respect to the impending landslide victory in the harmonised elections occasioned by the seamless delivery by the well-oiled ZANU PF juggernaut.

“On the back of the successful lodging of papers across the province, we are emboldened to deliver nothing short of a landslide victory, and with August 23 drawing closer, this set objective is fast crystallising into reality.

“This is so in light of the main opposition (CCC) failing to field candidates in certain jurisdictions, Buhera District being one such an example where all 10 ZANU PF councillors for the Women’s Quota were nominated uncontested,” said Cde Matema.

CCC elections coordinator, Mr Itai Masaka said they fielded 26 National Assembly candidates, 250 local authority candidates, six (Senate), 10 (Provincial Council), Youth Quota (2) and Women’s Quota (6), totalling 370 candidates.

Mr Masaka said the party failed to register a Women’s Quota candidate at Rusape Town Council.

“I am yet to establish the facts on what really transpired in Rusape and Buhera. I do not have full facts at the moment. However, as the CCC we are ready to roll,” said Mr Masaka.

The Nomination Court, which was supposed to close at 1600HRS, had to drag on to 2030HRS as candidates from some opposition political parties tried to mislead the court that their nomination fees had been paid in Harare, resulting in ZEC officials having to seek confirmation from their head office.

At one point, the Provincial Elections Officer, Mr Thompson Chiwereweshe had unkind words for Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T), Democratic Union of Zimbabwe (DUZ) and United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) candidates over the issue of their unconfirmed payments of nomination fees.

To make matters worse, some of the candidates from these fringe opposition parties had trickled in a few minutes before the deadline with their nomination papers, thereby dragging the process.

 

 

Most of them eventually withdrew their nomination papers as they had failed to raise the nominations fees.

Candidates from ZANU PF and CCC mocked them and suggested that they could circulate “an offering basket around the court to raise the nomination fees”.

DUZ secretary general, Mr Pishai Muchauraya said they withdrew 23 nomination papers after failing to raise the required fees for their National Assembly candidates.

Parliamentary candidates were required to pay US$1000 or the equivalent in local currency.

DUZ only fielded candidates in Makoni South, Mutema-Musikavanhu and Chipinge South Constituencies.

MDC-T aspiring candidate for Makoni West, Mr Gilbert Mutare said they withdrew their papers after the party failed to pay their nomination fees.

“They failed to pay and directed that we do it from our pockets, we ended up withdrawing.

“Even if I had the money, why should I use my money to finance party activities? I cannot do that from my own pocket. As a result, the majority of us withdrew,” said Mr Mutare.

Mr Chiwereweshe later announced the names of candidates that had successfully lodged their nomination papers.

 

Battle lines drawn, Manicaland’s aspiring candidates

 

National Assembly:

Buhera Central — Cde Samson Matema (ZANU PF) and Mr Timothy Kandenga (CCC);

Buhera North — Cde Guyo Phillip (ZANU PF) and Mr Julius Magarangoma (CCC);

Buhera South — Mr Solomon Hodhera (CCC) and Cde Ngonidzashe Mudekunye (ZANU PF);

Buhera West — Cde Tafadzwa Mugwadi (ZANU PF), Mr Herbert Mangwanya (CCC) and Mr Komborero Tsvangirai (MDC-T);

Chikanga — Mr Garikai Charamba (NCA), Mrs Lynette Karenyi (CCC), Cde Kenneth Muchina (ZANU PF) and Mr Taurai Gambureni (UZA);

Chimanimani East — Cde Joshua Sacco (ZANU PF) and Mr Innocent Dube (CCC);

Chimanimani West — Cde Wilson Maphosa (ZANU PF), Mr Cannan Matiashe (CCC), Isaiah Mushango (NCA);

Chipinge Central — Mr Livingston Dhlumo (CCC) and Cde Raymore Machingura (ZANU PF);

Chipinge East — Cde Lincoln Dhliwayo (ZANU PF), Mr Matheus Mateu Mlambo (CCC) and Mr Mupaji Samuel (NCA);

Chipinge South — Mr Clifford Hlathwayo (CCC), Cde Enock Porusingazi (ZANU PF), Ami Maunde (Independent), Mr Ronald Mlambo (Independent), Mr Takawira Mupakati (NCA) and Mr Nelson Sithole (DUZ);

Dangamvura — Cde Clyde Jani (ZANU PF), Mr Prosper Chapfiwa Mutseyami (CCC), Mr Lameck Mark Mwandunguza (NCA);

Headlands — Cde Farai Walter Mapfumo (ZANU PF), Mr Valentine Ziswa (CCC) and Mr Laston Julius (Independent);

Makoni Central — Cde Shepard Nyika (ZANU PF), Mr David Tekeshe (MDC-T) and Mr Patrick Sagandira (CCC);

Makoni North — Cde Joseph Muwombi (ZANU PF), Mr Shepard Chitema (CCC);

Makoni South — Mr Danmore Tinashe Chenai (CCC), Cde Albert Nyakuedzwa (ZANU PF) and Mr Pishai Muchauraya (DUZ);

Makoni West — Mr Prince Gonye (Independent), Mr Godfrey Govha (CCC) and Cde Jenfan Muswere (ZANU PF);

Mutare Central — Mr James Brian (CCC) and Cde Esau Mupfumi (ZANU PF);

Mutare North — Cde Admire Mahachi (ZANU PF) and Mr Tendai Takambika (CCC);

Mutare South — Cde Tawanda Dumbarimwe (ZANU PF) and Fungai Saunyama Mackenzie (CCC);

Mutare West — Cde Nyasha Marange (ZANU PF), Mr Thomas Munjoma (Independent) and Mr Prayer Nemasasi (CCC).

Mutasa Central — Cde Innocent Dambudzo Benza (ZANU PF) and Mr Dickson Chekecheke (CCC);

Mutasa North — Cde Obey Bvute (ZANU PF) and Mr Godfery Chitsara (CCC);

Mutasa South — Cde Misheck Mugadza (ZANU PF) and Mr Regai Tsunga (CCC);

Mutema-Musikavanhu — Cde Angeline Gata (ZANU PF), Mr Mudzamiri Thomas (NCA); Ms Sibongile Nyakuedzwa (CCC) and Mr Alexander Chauke (DUZ);

Nyanga North — Mr Chifodya Nyahando (CCC), Cde Chido Sanyatwe (ZANU PF) and Mr Munyaradzi Mwonzora (MDC-T);

Nyanga South — Cde Supa Mandiwanzira (ZANU PF), Mr Tonderai Madziwa (MDC-T) and Madzikomiki Masandura (CCC).

 

Senate:

ZANU PF:
Cdes Irin Zindi, Mike Nyambuya, Monica Mutsvangwa, Shadreck Chipanga, Josephine Gandiya and William Mutomba.

 

CCC:
Ms Keresenzia Chabuka, Mr David Chimhini, Ms Jane Chitsamba, Mr Itayi Masaka, Ms Mary Kuhudzai, Mr Godfrey Svosve.

 

DUZ:
Ms Portia Topera, Mr Charles Muchineripi, Ms Maria Chikwara, Mr Barnabas Chin’ono, Ms Rose Muguza, Mr Gilbert Kapara.

 

MDC-T:
Ms Edith Baipai, Benevolence Taisekwa, Ms Getrude Moyo, Mr Shepard Maisiri, Ms Lynette Nyanhanda, Mr Julius Ndlovu.

 

National Assembly Women’s Quota:

ZANU PF:
Cdes Getrude Mutandi, Patricia Kuhlande, Samatha Chakukura, Hapiness Faith Nyakuedzwa, Evelyn Mutetwa and Patricia Nyabeze.

 

CCC:
Ms Monica Mukwada, Ms Miriam Matinenga, Ms Sekai Muungani, Ms Stella Fadziso Muzhingi, Ms Jemina Mamucheka, Ms Cathrine Karimbika.

 

MDC-T:
Ms Constance Chihururu, Ms Judith Chimwaza, Ms Aquiline Chapwanya, Ms Ester Thelma Harry, Ms Joyce Matiza and Ms Ester Mbirimi.

National Assembly Youth Quota:

ZANU PF:
Cde Stanley Sakupwanya and Ms Pretty Mwadei Ziteya.

 

CCC:
Mr Kelvin Kambiro and Ms Karen Nyamuguruwada.

 

Provincial Council:

 

ZANU PF:
Cdes Kerenia Uta; Brighton Mwanengureni, Florence Mathatu, Mukodza Tawanda, Jesca Chidza, Moses Gutu, Jesca Chikoni, Maxwel Kuhudzai, Joyce Hamudishe and Joshua Murire.

 

CCC:
Ms Betty Mapuka, Mr Robert Saunyama, Mr Duwa Tsverukai, Mr Bonifece Gweru, Ms Lucia Mhaka, Mr Munyaradzi Rimbi, Ms Rose Makamba, Mr Hardwork Mwajaichi; Privilege Gwatidzo, Mr Fred Dziwandi.