… 99.9 percent of candidates sail through
…. Gutu Bigwigs sail uncontested
Brighton Chiseva
It’s all systems go for Zanu PF primary elections following the politburo’s deliberations last week that saw the approval of 99.9 percent of the CVs submitted for the election.
The election is going to take place on Saturday (March 25) having been postponed from the previously set date (March 18) with the party election directorate saying it had received more CVs than expected and needed some time to go through them.
Zanu PF National Spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa released a statement to the effect and said President Emmerson Mnangagwa had said all people should be allowed to contest except those with criminal records.
“Approximately 99.9 of the candidates sailed through because President Emmerson Mnangagwa said no one should be left behind for any frivolous reason except where the candidate had a criminal record,” said Mutsvangwa.
Masvingo Provincial Chairperson Robson Mavhenyengwa said he was yet to receive official list from the party headquarters but he was sure that only one candidate was disqualified.
“All candidates sailed through except only one, Mutonho Mutonho from Gutu West. However, I am yet to receive the official document with successful candidates in the province,” said Mavhenyengwa.
From the unofficial document that is circulating on social media however, Christopher Mashuro from Gutu East was not recommended by both Masvingo province and the National Election Directorate (NED) and so was Tongai Matutu from Mwenezi North.
In Gutu, three bigwigs will go uncontested and these are Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando for Gutu Central and John Paradza, Gutu West, whose opponent Mutonho Mutonho was not recommended.
Yeukai Simbanegavi will go uncontested for Gutu Women’s Quota while Lovemore Matuke will go it alone for the senatorial post.
Paradza is the national vice secretary for youth league, a post he won after winning the provincial contest which means he commands some respect both at provincial level and nationally.
Simbanegavi’s constituency Gutu North was collapsed by delimitation exercise and had to seek solace in the women’s quota allocation which has less completion.
Chitando is President Mnangagwa’s close ally having been picked as a non-constituency Minister in 2017 and later got a seat in 2018. He is powerful and well-resourced and that could have worked in his favor.
Matuke on the other hand has been Senator for the district and is very powerful in the district, province and at national levels being the Secretary for Security and Politburo member.
Most of Gutu candidates including Paradza and Simbanegavi first contested for their seats with Matuke’s blessing.
Another candidate who will go uncontested is Naledi Maunganidze from Chivi South who is vying for Provincial Youth Quota seat.
Zaka North has the highest number of candidates after nine of the candidates who submitted CVs sailed through.
Bikita South, Chiredzi west, Masvingo South, Masvingo Central, Mwenezi East, and Zaka Central have seven candidates each.
Only Masvingo Urban and Chiredzi Central have two candidates each with Mwenezi North likely to have two if Tongai Matutu is disqualified.
