Zanu-PF primary elections postponed

Mashudu Netsianda Senior Reporter
ZANU-PF has postponed its primary elections from Monday to Wednesday, the party’s chairman for the National Elections Directorate, Cde Simon Khaya Moyo, announced yesterday.  In a statement, Cde Khaya-Moyo, who is also the party’s National Chairman, said the latest move was done to give enough time to the teams being deployed throughout country to supervise the polls.

“The Zanu-PF primary elections, which were supposed to be held on Monday, 24 June 2013 throughout the country, have been postponed to Wednesday, 26 June 2013.

“This is to give teams being deployed to                                                                                                  all provinces to supervise the elections enough time. The venues remain the same,” he said.

Cde Khaya Moyo said Provincial Elections Directorates would meet tomorrow to review and consider any complaints on nominations.

“Provincial Elections Directorates are directed to meet on Sunday to review and consider any complainants on nominations and submit reports to the National Elections Directorate on Monday by 4pm,” he said.

Cde Khaya Moyo, however, said preparations for the polls were progressing well.

“So far the exercise has gone on exceedingly well and that is all I can say for now. We don’t want to say much because the teams are still travelling,” he said.

Zanu-PF primaries have attracted a number of candidates who will be contesting with some constituencies having as much as 13.

In Midlands, constituencies in Gokwe have the highest number of contestants. The Gokwe-Mapfungautsi has 13 candidates competing for the Senatorial seat while the Gokwe-Gumunyu National Assembly seat has eight candidates followed by the Gokwe-Sesame National Assembly with six candidates.

In Chirumanzu there are seven contestants challenging sitting MP Cde Phares Maramba and these include former Deputy Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr Edwin Mguti, Cdes Dadmine Kanoti, Simon Sigauke, Seviyasi Piki, Max Magumo Zvidzai and Innocent Munanzvi.

The Mberengwa North National Assembly seat which was left vacant following the death of Cde Jabulani Mangeni is being contested by 10 candidates and these are Cdes Maxwell Maruza Hove, Tafanana Zhou, Trust Maposa, Kudakwashe Hove, Tsitsi Zhou, Munashe Shoko, Kneel Mandinyenya Zhou, Joseph Tseisi, Reuben Mabena and Takunda Chirasha.

Cde Obert Matshalaga is facing a stiff challenge from four contestants for the Zvishavane-Ngezi National Assembly seat. Cdes Rugare Ngidi Gumbo and July Moyo will battle it out for the Mberengwa Senatorial seat while Cde Simbarashe Mumbengegwi will square up with two other contestants for Shurugwi/Zvishavane Senate.

In Gweru Urban, five candidates will battle it out for the National Assembly seat while the sitting MP for Mberengwa East Cde Makhosini Hlongwane is being challenged by Cdes Bellum Hove, Munyaradzi Ndlovu, Colsen Gwezhira and Peter Mpofu. Cde Francis Nhema is being challenged by Cde Robson Nyathi for the Shurugwi North National Assembly seat.

Other notable constituencies that have attracted a bigger number of candidates in the Midlands include the Mbizo National Assembly with eight contestants and Gokwe-Kabuyuni Senate.

In Bulawayo, the constituencies with the highest number of candidates are Nkulumane, Bulawayo Central and South National Assembly seats.

In Bulawayo Central, Dr Gatsha Mazithulela, an academic, will battle it out with Cdes Eulyses Nowedza, Charles Chiponda, Mlungisi Moyo, Simangaliso Masuku and Charles Moyo.

The Bulawayo East National Assembly seat has attracted six candidates, Cdes Nacisio Elijah Makulumo, Kevin Mazvidziwa, Freddy Ndoro, Farai Mteliso, Sweet Sweet and Maria Farai Chikwanya.

In Nketa, the battle for the National Assembly post will pit Cdes Khumbulani Mlilo, Elifasi Mashaba, George Tshabangu, Million Ndebele, Jasper Mawisire and Monica Mguni.

In Pelandaba-Mpopoma, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu will compete with Cdes Joseph Tshuma and Peter Mvemve for the National Assembly seat with provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu battling it out with Emson Masuku and Davidson Mpakarima for the Kumalo Senatorial seat.

Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube will square off with Cde Peter Baka Nyoni for the Makokoba seat.

In Matabeleland North, the provincial council seat for Nkayi has attracted seven candidates in the women’s quota while the Hwange Senate will be contested by seven candidates among them the Provincial Governor Thokozile Mathuthu.

Hwange West, Lupane East and Binga South have also attracted a big number of candidates.

In Masvingo, National Assembly constituencies such as Masvingo West and North, Zaka North, Mwenezi West, Chiredzi North and West have also attracted a large number of contestants.

In Masvingo Senatorial, Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire is being challenged by Cdes Maina Mandava and Clemence Magwarimba.

Cdes Josiah Hungwe and Samuel Mumbengegwi and Rexon Jaka will battle it out for Chivi/Mwenenzi Senate seat.

Cde Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana will face Cde Meke Camnwadoro and Efraim Gwanangodza for the Chivi Central seat in the National Assembly.

Masvingo Governor Cde Titus Maluleke in Chiredzi West will contest with five other candidates.

Mwenezi East MP Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti will face two other contestants.

In Matabeleland South, Umzingwane has the biggest number of contestants where 10 candidates will battle it out for the National Assembly post.

The candidates are Cdes Fungai Moyo, Xolani Moyo, Jones Nkomo, Themba Mathuthu, William Dewa, Thomas Mguni, Retired Brigadier-General Levi Mayihlome, Bernard Ncube, Longwe Ndlovu and Retired Colonel George Nare.

Senatorial candidates in Matabeleland South include political heavyweights, Cdes Khaya Moyo (Bulilima-Mangwe), Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu (Insiza) and Abigail Damasane (Umzingwane). Political heavyweight Cde Kembo Mohadi will face Cdes Philemon Mbedzi, Johane Ndou and Lawrence Tshili for Beitbridge East National Assembly seat while Insiza North MP Cde Andrew Langa will face a stiff challenge from Cdes Patrick Hove and Gibson Siziba.

Cde Tambudzani Mohadi will slug it out with Cde Jokonia Sikida Nare for the Beitbridge Senatorial seat.

Sitting Beitbridge West MP, Cde Metrine Mudau is being challenged by Cde Ruth Maboyi, the wife of Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to Egypt, Dr Aaron Maboyi-Ncube and former Matabeleland South provincial Zanu-PF chairman Loshani Lloyd Siyoka.

According to the final list, a majority of the party’s senior leadership was nominated unopposed.

In Bulawayo Cdes Angeline Masuku and Absalom Sikhosana were also nominated unopposed for Senatorial posts in Khumalo and Mabutweni constituencies respectively.

In Matabeleland North, National Assembly candidates Cdes Obert Mpofu Umguza) and Professor Jonathan Moyo (Tsholotsho North) were nominated unopposed while Cde Cain Mathema was also nominated unopposed under the men’s quota.

Cde Emmerson Mnangagwa was nominated unopposed for the National Assembly in Chirumanzu/Zibagwe Constituency while Cde Flora Buka also sailed through unchallenged for the  Gokwe North Senate.

In Masvingo Cde Walter Mzembi was nominated unopposed for the National Assembly in Masvingo South.

In the Midlands, a tug of war is looming between heavy weights while in Matabeleland North Cde Thokozile Mathuthu will face six candidates for Hwange Senatorial with Cde Cain Mathema set to race against three female candidates for Tsholotsho Senatorial. He is being challenged by former Senator for the area, Cdes Josephine Moyo, Alice Dube and Maria Sithole.

Bubi-Umguza Senator Lot Mbambo will contest with provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo and Cde Medeline Bhebhe.

Bubi MP Cde Clifford Sibanda will face Cdes Sonny Mguni and Cecil Mathambo while Nkayi North MP Cde Sithembiso Nyoni is being challenged by Cde Maplot Donga.

Lupane East MP Cde Martin Khumalo will get into the ring with Cde Goodman Sibanda.