…As three Chiredzi MPs fail to make it through Zanu PF primaries

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-A South African-based business magnate and Chiredzi West Parliamentary aspirant had his hopes to become a parliamentarian dashed as he lost to a former Member of Parliament (MP) during the recently held Zanu PF primary elections on March 26, 2023.
It was a tale of two contrasting candidates with relatively wealthy Shingirayi Mubhoyi being defeated by Darlington Chiwa, who seemed to have slimmer chances.
While Chiwa emerged victorious, his former colleagues in Parliament Farai Musikavanhu (incumbent Chiredzi West MP), Denford Masiya (Chiredzi East) and Retired Brigadier General Kalisto Gwanetsa (Chiredzi South) failed to pass the primary elections test with Musikavanhu losing in newly gazetted Chiredzi Central.
Mubhoyi who seemed to be the system’s favourite going into the election, was popularly known for parading his top of the range vehicles with South Africa’s Gauteng Province registration plates in the sugarcane growing town, initially with an ambition to face the outspoken Chiredzi North Member of Parliament, Roy Bhila before the delimitation exercise, which left him with the charismatic Darlington Chiwa as a thorn in his flesh.
Mubhoyi, who was highly confident he was going to Parliament later this year, was defeated by Darlington Chiwa by 101 votes, with the two women, Mirriam Dhanda and Eustina Magocha scoring a collective 104 votes.
Tawanda Chisasa did well with 1 040 votes while the Education Inspector Norman Sharara trailed with 110 votes.
During their discussions as Chiredzi West contenders after some election irregularities which needed their attention were reported on the election’s first day, Mubhoyi is alleged to have bragged about his wealth.
“You guys are poor. You can just give me a million Rand and you will never see me again, I will withdraw from the election,” he allegedly said.
In Chiredzi Central, it was a battle for the giants, where mudslinging failed to materialize, with Francis Moyo defeating former Tongaat Huletts Agricultural Director and current Chiredzi West MP, Farai Musikavanhu.
In Chiredzi North, it was a walkover for Roy Bhila, becoming the first Zanu PF Member of Parliament to be re-elected for the second time in a row to represent the constituency.
Bhila’s chances to win the seat are much higher as no opposition candidate scores 10 percent votes in Chiredzi North.
In Chiredzi South, it did not go well for Brigadier General Gwanetsa, who served for two consecutive terms.
Renowned businessperson, Joel Sithole managed to get the ticket to represent the ruling party in Chiredzi South constituency in the upcoming general elections.
Gwanetsa fell by 1 545 votes from Sithole and 687 from Hahlani Makondo while being 837 votes ahead of Hahlani Habwane. Sithole faces a mammoth task ahead with Chilonga Bridge which has now taken the government 23 years to construct, waiting for him as well as disgruntled Chilonga villagers who are reportedly facing displacement threats from Dendairy, a Kwekwe-based company which is likely to develop close to 12 000 hectares for its Lucerne project.
Denford Masiya and Jevas Masosota lost to Primary School teacher Siyaki Mundungehama in Chiredzi East who was leading with 4 507 votes against Masiya’s 3 490 and Masosota’s 1 237.
Zanu PF District Secretary for Information Daniel Mawere, who contested in Chiredzi North, encouraged fallen cadres to give the winners the necessary support they need ahead of the watershed harmonized elections.
“No one has lost in our primary elections but the system has won. Primary elections are a Zanu PF culture to nurture democracy and helps in protecting our national values and ethos as a revolutionary entity.
“Let’s unite as one people, Zanu PF and focus our efforts to wrestle the seats from the opposition,” said Mawere.
All sitting Zanu PF councillors namely Obert Ngwenya (ward 2), Josphat Nzombe (ward 8), Liberty Macharaga (ward 1) and Blessings Mazinyani (ward 5) managed to sail through party primaries, with many who had flashed a lot of resources to represent the ruling party in the local authority being dismally defeated.

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi-Home is no best for former Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) heavyweight Tongai Matutu who defected from opposition ranks to Zanu PF after he was trounced in the primary elections held on March 26 with the former Masvingo Urban legislator suffering a humiliating defeat in his bid to represent Mwenezi North constituency.
After unceremoniously breaking ties with the opposition movement, Matutu who has on record vowed to destroy his former paymasters found the going tough against current Mwenezi East MP Master Makope.
Matutu came last in the three-horse race with 799 votes after being walloped by former School head Master Makope who amassed 5 399 votes securing himself a clean ticket to represent Zanu PF in the newly gazetted Mwenezi North.
The humble Makope who has been credited by many locals for his servant leadership style became Mwenezi East legislator after being elected in last year’s by-election to replace the late legislator Joosbi Omar.
In second position in the Mwenezi North race was Peter Shotere who garnered 2 233 votes.
The Mwenezi East race which was probably one of the tightest without a predetermined winner, saw youthful Sheillah Chikomo securing 3 448 votes which makes her the Zanu PF candidate for Mwenezi East in the upcoming harmonized elections.
Trailing her in second position was Tavengana Muzenda who got 2 021 votes followed by Yunis Omar who garnered 1 526 votes. In fourth position was lawyer Jabulani Mberesi who secured 1 120 votes followed by Kenneth Sibanda who got 362 votes. One Wamambo and Matutu got 316 and 105 votes respectively.
In Mwenezi West Priscilla Zindari-Moyo, wife to Central Intelligence Director General Isaac Moyo, who is the incumbent went on to be re-elected to represent the party.
In second position was Tafadzwa Masvayamwando who is on record claiming that the elections were rigged in favour of Moyo after several cell registers reportedly went missing in his strongholds.
Other candidates who contested for the Mwenezi West are Obey Mbiza, Clearance Mhosva, one Mlilo and Renious Muchoko.
The primary elections which were marred by countless irregularities especially in Mwenezi East and West where several party members found their names missing in party cell registers had left contestants and several party members extremely disgruntled with some vowing for a ‘Bhora Musango’ to avenge for their frustration.
Those who were elected in Zanu Pf primary elections will square off with members from the opposition parties which are yet to name their representatives in the yet to be announced dates for the harmonised elections which are expected this coming August.

Emmanuel Chitsika

Confusion hovering over the official opening of Masvingo City Council run Northwest Medical Clinic in Runyararo West suburb is not yet over as councillors from opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) recently called upon council to ensure the facility is ‘properly opened’ with all councillors present.
Speaking during a full council meeting held at Council chambers on March 27, ward 4 councillor Alec Tabe said it was proper for management to set yet another date for the official opening independent from the ‘political hijacking’ by a political party (Zanu PF) that took place last month which saw ruling party vice president Kembo Mohadi officiating during his visit to Masvingo.
“As councillors, we feel proper procedures were not followed with regards to the official opening of the clinic. We should have invited the relevant stakeholders and the community to the official opening of Northwest Clinic as a way of ensuring a sense of ownership to the facility on their part.
“Some of us (councillors) did not attend the official opening as it was turned into a political gathering by those who officiated (Kembo Mohadi and Zanu PF) and our position remains, there is need to officially open the clinic and the new Cambria Farm landfill site. Prior to the opening of the clinic, we had agreed that proper procedures were to be followed and that was not the case,” said Tabe.
However, Zanu PF ward 10 councillor Sengerayi Manyanga who chairs the Public Works Committee said there was no need to re-do the official opening as it is already done.
“On the issue of the clinic opening, I disagree with the re-do of an already done official opening. We cannot do two official openings (mhandara haibviswe umhandara kaviri). Bearing in mind that the clinic was built with part of Devolution funds, and then the President (Emmerson Mnangagwa) can send whoever he wants to preside over the opening.
“Re-doing that official opening may be tantamount to fighting government of which we are in that same government and thus the matter is over. Let us not act as if we are fighting the president. Even council management could not have the powers to stop it (Zanu PF hijacking the event), so let us leave it like that,” said Manyanga.
Masvingo Mayor and ward 2 councillor Collen Maboke however argued that there is no way central government would continue interfering with affairs of local authorities since devolution funds once disbursed, they become council funds hence need for non-interference principle to be employed.
“Devolution is enshrined in the constitution, after all its ratepayers’ money so we cannot say if the funds are disbursed, central government remains in control of such funds in our coffers. Central government cannot interfere with operations of councils on the pretext that its devolution funding.
“These devolution funds are correctly defined in the constitution as council money and are entitled to it that is why I always ask the Finance Director about such funds, they are our entitlement. Thus government cannot wake up claiming responsibility over the facility, if ever they wanted to construct it, what was the logic behind involving council?
“Council used its human resources who are on council payroll and were not paid from devolution funds. We also used our own resources as council like water, river sand and even fuel for transportation of materials and workers. In fact, devolution funds were used to purchase building materials and nothing more,” said Maboke.
Ward 3 councillor Roki Kamuzonda also weighed in saying central government was not the only player in the construction of the health facility and hence there was no need to claim it and forcibly open it officially.
“Central government was not the only player in this whole construction process. If that is the case of saying government presides over everything involving devolution funds, so we should have seen the President everywhere and all over the country officially opening or handing over such items. As council, do we still have ownership over this health facility?” said Kamuzonda.
Northwest clinic debacle has been on-going for quite some time from the naming of the facility with Manyanga fiercely opposing the name arguing it should be named after the President or any other national hero, a move that hit a snag as CCC councillors objected saying that would be politicisation of the clinic.
Mohadi who is no longer in government officially opened the clinic in February when he came for the monthly Clean Up exercise in Masvingo but all seven CCC councillors boycotted the event leaving their three Zanu PF counterparts in attendance.

…Musikavanhu, Tongofa, Gwanetsa, Masiya out

…Chakona, Chivange, Mawere lose again

…Zvobgo Junior finally in

…Marapira finds new political home in Zaka Central

…Chadzamira, Chiduwa, Togarepi maintain grip

…Only two women sail through 

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO–Results of the Zanu PF internal polls held last week were finally released after days of waiting anxiously, bringing joy and sorrow among contestants with some of those who lost claiming that the election was not free and fair.
For the first time, Zanu PF relaxed its conditions on the candidate selection allowing almost everyone who submitted a CV a chance to contest, a development which saw the likes of former MDC stalwart Tongai Matutu being allowed to contest in the recently gazetted Mwenezi North constituency.
The noble development however saw a number of the party’s heavy weights, old guard as well as most sitting MPs biting the dust and falling by the wayside with new faces emerging from the primary elections.
The development could either work for or against Zanu PF. It may work for the party in the sense that it has been a little bit free allowing everyone who wants to contest a chance unlike in previous cases where new comers and young candidates were vetted out to pave way for the old guard.
Some of the losing candidates are alleging rigging of the election and are contemplating to do a ‘Bhora Musango’ during the general election.
In Masvingo province, 10 sitting MPs lost to young and new entrants that pulled shockers to the surprise of the old guard who were relaxing, thinking that they had the electorate in their hands.

Only 10 out of 25 sitting MPs still have a chance to go back to Parliament as constituency MPs with six having won in their respective constituencies and four contesting in newly created constituencies.
In Chivi South, Munyaradzi Zizhou’s world crumbled on him as he broke the record to become one of the shortest serving MPs in the province losing to Felix Maburutse.
Zizhou came in only last year in March 2022 after winning the by-election following the recall of then MP Killer Zivhu and his demise could be testimony that he failed to live up to his promises within the short stint he has been MP.
In Chivi Central, businessman Exavier Maoneke better known as Wezhas secured the ticket to represent the party after a tight contest of new comers as the incumbent Ephraim Gwanongodza decided not to contest for a third term having been MP since 2013.
In Chivi North, the sitting MP Mathias Tongofa lost his chance for re-election to Chivi Rural District Council chairperson Godfrey Mukungunugwa who is one of Minister of State Ezra Chadzamira’s closest allies.
In Masvingo district, Chadzamira retained his seat in Masvingo West and Bryan Mudhumi won in Masvingo North, whose sitting MP Davis Marapira traced back his roots to his home in Zaka where he contested and won in Zaka Central.
Former teacher Claudious Maronge’s dream for a second term were shattered after he lost to Tanatswa Mukomberi in Masvingo South.
In Masvingo Central, Edson Zvobgo Junior finally got in after two attempts, in the same constituency and another in Masvingo Urban.

He seeks to take over from Edmund Mhere who served for two terms in the same constituency and is seeking refuge in the district senatorial slot.
In Masvingo Urban, Masvingo City Deputy Mayor Welington Mahwende will represent the party after defeating James Pande while the shadow MP Benjamin Taguma Mazarire who lost to MDC-Alliance’s Jacob Nyokanhete tried his luck and lost in Masvingo Central.
Gutu district retained most of its sitting MPs with Minister of Mines Winston Chitando and Zanu PF national youth boss John Paradza sailing through uncontested in Gutu Central and West respectively.
Chitando had no competitor at all while Paradza’s rival Mutonho Mutonho was disqualified since he had some pending disciplinary issues.
In Gutu South, sitting MP and Zanu PF Chief Whip Pupurai Togarepi won another chance to represent the party while George Vhengere won in Gutu East with the sitting MP Beritha Chikwama having stepped down.
Collapsed Gutu North’s Yeukai Simbanegavi went to the women’s quota where she won uncontested.
Bikita district saw all the three incumbents, Johnson Madhuku (Bikita East), Josiah Sithole (Bikita South) and Elias Musakwa (Bikita West) losing to Zevezai Koti, Energy Mutodi and Nhatiso Makusha respectively.
In Chiredzi South Callisto Gwanetsa lost to Jowell Sithole and Denford Masiya lost to Siyaki Hama in Chiredzi East. Chiredzi West’s former MP Darlington Chiwa bounced back with the incumbent Farai Musikavanhu who had moved to newly created Chiredzi Central losing to former Chiredzi Town Council Chairperson Francis Moyo. Roy Billa retained his Chiredzi North constituency.
In Mwenezi, Priscilla Zindari Moyo who is wife to CIO boss Isaac Moyo retained Mwenezi West and new comer Sheilla Chikomo will represent Zanu PF in Mwenezi East.
Mwenezi East’s sitting MP Master Makope, who was elected in last year’s by-elections following the death of Joosbi Omar in 2020, moved to Mwenezi delimitation’s new baby Mwenezi North where he defeated former Masvingo Urban MDC Alliance legislator Tongai Matutu who defected to Zanu PF.
In Zaka district, collapsed Zaka East MP Clemence Chiduwa who contested in the newly created Zaka South which comprises of mainly Zaka East and collapsed Zaka West wards will represent the party after garnering 8 678 votes, which is probably the highest number of votes across the whole Masvingo province.
In Zaka Central, Marapira won after defeating the sitting MP David Svuure who came third in the race with ward 13 councillor Manfred Mada who was eyeing a higher post settling for second position.
In Zaka North, Ophias Murambiwa will get a chance for a second term in Parliament after he was moved from Zaka West which was collapsed with the delimitation exercise and found himself in the North.
Murambiwa who is popularly known as Maga Maga pulled a shocker after defeating former Zaka Central MP Paradzai Chakona who had found solace in the North and had been campaigning for some time having been tipped to take over by the sitting MP Robson Mavhenyengwa who made a right decision of contesting in the Senate where he won instead of seeking a third term.