Zanu-PF primary poll for Mbizo today

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
ZANU-PF will today hold a primary election to select a candidate for the Mbizo constituency by-election set for June 10. Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association provincial chairperson Cde Knowlet Hove and Mbizo councillor, Cde Vongaishe Mupereri both from Kwekwe will contest in the party’s poll for the seat, which is among the 21 that were declared vacant recently by Parliament.

In an interview yesterday, Zanu-PF Midlands acting provincial chairperson, Cde Kizito Chivamba said a team seconded by the national commissariat had been dispatched to conduct the primary election.

He said eight centres would be opened for the voting process which is expected to start at 11AM.

“All is set for the Mbizo primary election tomorrow (today). The election would be conducted by a team that’s coming from head office which is already on its way,” he said.

Cde Chivamba said only registered party members are eligible to participate in the primary election.

“Voters will be drawn from the cell, district and province levels and we’ve prepared a voters’ roll. So only registered party members would be allowed to vote,” he said.

Cde Chivamba said three candidates had submitted their CVs. Cde David Juro Mutimwimi was disqualified as he has a pending disciplinary case.

Meanwhile, the MDC Renewal Team’s Settlement Chikwinya, who lost the Mbizo seat after it was declared vacant, said he was going to be guided by his party on participating in any elections.

President Mugabe set June 10 as the date for the by-elections to fill the 14 contested seats.

The by-elections will be held on the same date as those for Headlands and Hurungwe West which became vacant following the expulsion of Didymus Mutasa and Temba Mliswa from the revolutionary party and subsequently, Parliament.