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Leonard Ncube/Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporters
ZANU-PF provincial chairpersons for Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and South Professor Callistus Ndlovu, Cdes Richard Moyo and Andrew Langa retained their positions in provincial elections held on Saturday.
In a statement, the party’s national chairman, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, who is also the chairman of the National Elections Directorate, said results from all the seven provinces had been received by last night.
These are Bulawayo, Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, Masvingo, Harare, Mashonaland East and Mashonaland West.
Prof Ndlovu garnered 1 883 votes to shrug off the challenge of his deputy, Cde Killian Sibanda and Cde Douglas Ndlovu who got 592 and 757 votes respectively in the main wing.
In the Women’s League, Cde Evah Bitu got 345 votes beating Cdes Sihle Thebe, Monica Mguni and Bhekizitha Hlanganiso while Cde Khumbulani Mpofu becomes the chairman in the Youth League.
He got 378 votes beating two other contestants.
However, voting in the province was marred by low turnout with a total of 3 232 voters casting their ballot in the main wing.
In Matabeleland North, Cde Moyo garnered 7 828 votes to retain his post ahead of Cde Reeds Dube who got 3 159 votes in the main wing where a total of 10 546 people voted.
In the Women’s League, Cde Medeline Bhebhe retained her position after beating Cde Siphiwe Mapfuwa by 2 787 votes to 1 393 votes.
Former Youth chairman, Cde Delay Ncube lost to Cde Tamuka Nyoni who got 1 694 votes against 1 376.
There were 28 spoilt votes and all of them were from Binga District. There were concerns about some names of voters that were missing from the register.
The head of the supervisory team in the province, Politburo member Dr Sydney Sekeramayi, said despite logistical challenges, the elections went on peacefully.
Hwange and Binga districts presented sealed reports of grievances from the election and Dr Sekeramayi said they would be handed over to the National Commissariat Office.
“Winners and losers, we are all expected to remain united and come together to regain those seats we lost to MDC. We should look into issues and reflect on every aspect and be able to solve grievances to be able to fulfil our manifesto,” said Dr Sekeramayi at a press briefing while announcing results at the command centre in Lupane.
In Matabeleland South, Cde Andrew Langa garnered 5 547 votes, beating Cde Lloyd Siyoka and Phumuza Ndlovu who got 1 013 and 602 votes respectively.
In the Women’s League, Cde Alice Dube was uncontested while Cde Washington Nkomo was also uncontested in the Youth League.
Masvingo Province saw Cde Calisto Gwanetsa emerging the winner in the race for the provincial chairmanship while Cdes Shyllet Uyoyo and Oliver Huruva emerged the winners in the Women’s and Youth League elections.
In Harare Province, Cde Amos Midzi got 5 615 votes beating five other contestants in the main wing. In the Women’s League Cde Angeline Matambanadzo emerged the winner while Cde Godfrey Gomwe beat seven other contestants inthe Youth League race garnering 1 410 votes in the process.
In Mashonaland East, Cde Ray Kaukonde was elected chairman after garnering 24 263 votes. In the Women’s and Youth Leagues Cdes Aquelina Katsande and Luckson Kandemiri were unopposed.
In Mashonaland West, Cde Themba Mliswa got 9 185 votes to win the chairmanship, beating business mogul Cde Philip Chiyangwa who got 7 621 votes in the main wing.
Other contestants were Cdes Nimrod Chiminya (3 387), John Mafa (704), Blessed Runesu (542) and Retired Colonel Beta (216).
In the Women’s League it was Cde Constance Shamu who won the chairlady position after garnering 4 732 votes ahead of Cde Sarah Mahoka who got 3 219 votes.
Cde Vengai Musengi got 3 072 votes to become Youth chairman beating Cde R Tarika who got 1 180 votes and six other candidates.
Cde Khaya Moyo commended the party members for maintaining peace and transparency during the elections.
“The elections, which were held in an atmosphere of peace, transparency and comradeship, are indicative of the unity prevailing in the revolutionary party contrary to the negative reports in the so-called independent media.
“I must commend all who participated in this electoral exercise, the team leaders in the provinces, provincial leaders at all levels, law enforcement agencies and other key players who led from the front,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He acknowledged that there were irregularities in some provinces which he said were later corrected.
“I am aware that some inconveniences could have been caused by inadequate provision of transport, late arrival of ballot papers and inaccuracies in some registers.
“Corrective measures were promptly taken where applicable.
“I commend the team leaders for taking such responsibility and also the staff manning the National Command Centre, who included the secretary for administration Cde Didymus Mutasa, national political commissar Cde Webster Shamu and secretary for Women’s Affairs Cde Oppah Muchinguri,” said Cde Khaya Moyo.
He said results for Manicaland, Midlands and Mashonalnad Central Provinces have already been endorsed by the party.
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