…Mazarire, Zvobgo take battle to rural turf
…Mavhenyengwa faction clashes in Zaka
…New faces emerge in Masvingo North, Gutu East
…Chadzamira likely to bounce back in Masvingo West
…Two Mutodis clash in Bikita South

Brighton Chiseva

MASVINGO – It will be a dog eat dog scenario in Zanu PF primary elections initially set for Saturday (March 18) but have been postponed to a later date, with big wigs and some completely new faces set to clash in the internal process which has previously been marred with violence, intimidation and serious rigging.
The party announced that there was an overwhelming number of candidates who submitted their papers to contest for various positions in the primaries, elongating the vetting process as there were reportedly higher chances of infiltration among other anomalies.
Party National Political Commissar Dr Mike Bimha announced in a presser a day before the scheduled primaries (Friday March 17) that primary elections had been postponed to a later, unannounced date after Politburo meets on Monday, March 20, 2023.
In Masvingo, Zanu PF Provincial Secretary for Communications Pepukai Chiwewe earlier this week confirmed that there was an overwhelming response to the call for submissions of aspiring candidates’ CVs ahead of the primary elections.
Chiwewe said large numbers were recorded, with a minimum of four and maximum of 12 per ward for local authorities, as well as a minimum of four and a maximum of seven for parliamentary candidates in Masvingo Province.
The election in the province however is expected to be nothing short of drama and surprises as 2018 Zanu PF Masvingo Urban constituency main contenders Benjamin Taguma Mazarire and Eddison Zvobgo Jnr have taken their rivalry to Masvingo Central constituency to try their luck with the rural electorate once more after the urban seat proved too difficult to clinch.
The two contested in 2018 primaries and Mazarire won, only to lose to then MDC-Alliance’s little known Jacob Nyokanhete ending Zanu PF’s total control of the province’s 26 constituencies.
In 2013, Zanu PF won all the 26 constituencies including the urban seat which was taken by Daniel Shumba from MDC’s Tongai Matutu.
The main battle will be between two businessmen and youthful Phainos Makwarimba who is likely to win the contest.
Mazarire, a businessman who is into mining and money lending business, contested Masvingo West in 2013 and lost to Ezra Chadzamira, contested again in 2018 and lost in the main election—history has a tendency of repeating itself.
Mazarire claims to be of Mapanzure clan, which means Mapanzure area could be his stronghold and basing on traditional leaders influence in polls, that gives him an edge to that effect.
Zvobgo, the Managing Director of Regency Hotels is riding on his father’s fame having been the area’s MP for a long time though he left nothing to show off his prolonged stay in power.
Zvobgo has influence from Mashate Business Centre up to his home area Shonganiso Misssion where his family has two schools and a clinic tyo their name.
He once tried his luck in the same constituency in 2013 and lost to sitting MP Edmund Mhere who has since stepped down and is alleged to be supporting Makwarimba.
Makwarimba is also using his late father Clemence Makwarimba’s popularity having been the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Masvingo Rural District Council and Senator for Masvingo district.
Makwarimba could be fishing in the same pond with Mazarire in Mapanzure. However, he seem to have more grip in the area which is his home turf, having ran some sporting tournaments for the youth in the current campaign period.
He also enjoys support in Mushawasha area where incumbent Edmund Mhere hails from and is always on the ground unlike Zvobgo and Mazarire.
Brian Charumbira, a councillor, also threw his hat in the ring as he may have support in his ward but is barely known in other areas thereby limiting his chances.
Three other names in the race are Jephison Chikovo, a Mutati and one Nhindire.
Four people have since lined up for Masvingo South Constituency where the incumbent Claudious Maronge is tipped to retain his post since his competitors seem not to have the grasp in the constituency.
Other contestants include Victor Vengei who lost to Maronge in 2018, Mukomberi, Maushe Mutetepi and Chidhaura.
Battle lines have been drawn in Masvingo North between youthful Brian Mudhumi, who seems to have the incumbent who has since moved to contest in Zaka Central Davies Marapira’s blessing, businessman Pascal Mudzikisi, popular bus operator Tanda Tavaruva (Mhunga)’son Emmanuel Tavaruva, and Albert Mangena who is Masvingo RDC council chairperson.
Mudhumi’s chances are high; he has the resources and charisma. However, he is reported to be originally from Gutu and his alignment with the Mavhenyengwa faction in Chadzamira dominated Masvingo district could be his major undoing.
Mangena stands a better chance because of his links with Chadzamira faction and support from the Provincial Vice Chairperson Trust Mugabe who is pushing him out of council so that he becomes council chairperson at Masvingo RDC where he is councillor.
So Mudhumi and Mangena’s chances are almost 50/50 making it difficult to predict a winner amongst the two.
One female candidate Emily Madzana is also vying for the post and though she is not so popular, being a woman could be her only advantage if women would vote for a fellow woman, she could stand a better chance.
Three other unpopular names are alleged to have submitted their CVs for the constituency.
In Masvingo Urban, the battle is between two youthful candidates Wellington Mahwende who is the city’s deputy Mayor and Harare based businessperson James Pande.
Mahwende who is nicknamed ‘Putin’ in Zanu PF because of his aggression is most likely to win the seat having managed to win deputy mayor position where the opposition has majority. He has proven to be a shrewd politician who can stop at nothing to get power.
Pande on the other hand is equally energetic, being youthful like Mahwende, he is also well resourced to match Mahwende. His major undoing however is that he is based in Harare and has no popular business if he has one in Masvingo.
In Masvingo West, the incumbent and Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Ezra Chadzamira enjoys the advantage of incumbency. He is well resourced and powerful having been provincial chair for some time and being the minister of State, he has an advantage over his rivals.
Chadzamira enjoys support from wards 33, 5, 2, 6 and 7 and may lose support in only two wards that are under Charumbira area since they accuse him of siding with Bere people.
Chadzamira will battle it out with little known Canada based Regis Vusango and Toddy Nyengerai who is ward 12 councillor.
Members of the Mavhenyengwa faction will clash in Zaka North after the delimitation process left them in the same constituency.
The two, former Zaka Central MP Paradzai Chakona and the sitting MP for dissolved Zaka West Ophias Murambiwa popularly known as ‘Maga Maga’ will square off in Zaka North.
Chakona has an advantage that he has been working in the constituency for some time having been tipped by the incumbent and party Provincial Chair Robson Mavhenyengwa who decided to step down after losing popularity.
Chakona is a shrewd politician but has since recorded some scandals in the constituency which can work against him.
On the other hand, Murambiwa, a central committee member like Chakona has what it takes to win the constituency but his major disadvantage is that he is only popular in a few wards that were taken from the now collapsed Zaka West to Zaka North.
Other candidates include perennial loser Professor Boniface Chivore who has been losing primaries even before the 2008 elections.
John Chikomo who was Mavhenyengwa’s right hand man is also in the race as well as little known Morris Chipato.
In Zaka Central, it will be the case of biblical David and Goliath with the main battle being between Davies Marapira (Goliath), and the David being any one between incumbent Davison Svuure and Manfred Mada.
Marapira however has an upper hand as he is well resourced and has been on the ground drilling boreholes, donating building material and stationery in schools as well as facilitating grading of roads.
Manfred Mada, ward 13 councillor allegedly refused an offer that had been put on the table to retain his council post and become council chairperson. He has also been on the ground and he has support mainly in Jerera.
Svuure is allegedly notorious for creating more enemies than friends during his tenure.
Other candidates include little known UK Based Patricia Chimombe who recently jetted into the country for the primary election and Kissmore Basopo and former Zaka West MP Vincent Mawere.
In Zaka South, the main battle is between Clemence Chiduwa who is MP for the dissolved Zaka East. Chiduwa is Zaka DCC chairperson and Deputy Minister of Finance and Economic Development and James Makaure. Chiduwa’s major advantages are that he is well resourced and has done a number of tangible developmental projects since he assumed office in 2019. He also went to Zaka South with the bulk of wards from Zaka East where he enjoys support. He also has support from ward 24 which has been in Zaka West.
Makaure commands a following in some wards which were in Zaka West though he is a bit new in the dynamics of Zaka politics but enjoys support from Mavhenyengwa and Marapira faction.
Another contender is Talent Chivange who lost to Chiduwa in 2019 by-election after they had both been disqualified in 2018.
Chivange however is known to disappear after every election only to resurface towards another election.
He may however enjoy support from areas that are under Chief Nhema where Chiduwa is not popular.
In Chivi North, a tight contest is between incumbent Mathias Tongofa and Chivi RDC chairperson Godfrey Mukungunugwa with another contestant Clifford Mumbengegwi having slim chances.
While incumbency may be an advantage to Tongofa, it also may work as a disadvantage with people yearning new blood.
Mukungunugwa has the resources and as council chairperson, he had some influence in how devolution funds were used with bias towards Chivi North. He facilitated a number of projects in the constituency. He enjoys support from Chadzamira while his main rival Tongofa is from Mavhenyengwa faction.
In Chivi South, the sitting MP Munyaradzi Zizhou will battle it out with Felix Maburuse who is alleged to be well resourced though his chances seem to be slim than Zizhou’s. Since he assumed office only last year, Zizhou has not made many enemies and people could still want to give him another chance though on the developmental front, he does not have much to show.
In Chivi Central, the incumbent Ephraim Gwanongodza stepped down and four businessmen have since lined up for the contest. The four include Dr Tapiwa Murambi, Exavier Moses Maoneke popularly known as ‘Wezhas’, Kudzai Mujikwa and Ranganai Pedzisai.
The main contest is between Dr Murambi and Wezhas and it is difficult to predict the winner between the two.
All the sitting MPs in Bikita are eyeing a comeback. In Bikita West, the sitting MP Elias Musakwa of the ‘Hwava’ fame in gospel music circles will battle it out with Daniel Makusha, Solomon Mupangi and Mbirikunashe Chirovera.
In Bikita East Johnson Madhuku is being challenged by Court Gomba and Professor Jacob Mufunda. Madhuku, a shrewd politician, is likely to retain the seat.
In Bikita South, the incumbent Josiah Sithole will rekindle the provincial elections battle it out with two Mutodis—former Information and Publicity Deputy Minister Energy Mutodi and Givemore Mutodi. Henry Mumera si also believed to be posing a great challenge to Sithole and his chances are almost equalt to Energy Mutodi. Other candidates linked to the seat are one Mateveke and an Engineer Muvhuni.
Energy Mutodi who transferred from Goromonzi South is former President Mnangagwa’s ally and is well resourced to challenge Sithole.
In Gutu, a few ministers’ names have come up in different constituencies, with Minister of Mines and Mining Development Winston Chitando eyeing a comeback in Gutu Central.
In Gutu West, the incumbent and Zanu PF youth boss John Paradza is likely to retain his constituency.
In Gutu South, the sitting MP Pupurai Togarepi will likely clash with former Public Service Commission (PSC) Secretary Ambassador Jonathan Wutaunashe. Togarepi who is Zanu PF Chief Whip is likely to win the contest as he recently fought against the collapsing of the constituency through his position as chairperson of the Adhoc Committee on the analysis of the preliminary delimitation report. He is also well resourced and politically well-connected unlike Wutaunashe who seems not to be well versed with politics as he once contested and lost in 2018.
Another candidate is a local businessman Reggie Mabhiza.
With the incumbent Beritha Chikwama having stepped down in Gutu East, businessman Christopher Kudzayi Mashuro will likely contest against Higher and Tertiary Education, Science, Technology and Innovation Professor Amon Murwira and a Ganyiwa.
On the ground, Mashuro seems to be more popular, with businesses in the Munyikwa area, specifically Muchekayaora. He also has a good academic record, but if Murwira contests, he may shatter Mashuro’s interests since Murwira is President Mnangagwa’s ally.
It remains to be seen however who survives after the party trims the numbers of candidates, which they have said is likely to be done by Sunday, March 19, a day before the Politburo sits, but with the aggressive campaigns that have been going on, heads are set to roll as some bigwigs bite the dust.

Beverly Bizeki

The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) on March 16, 2023 launched a new campaign dubbed #TakeAction and an application called the Citizen App which comes after the #HowFar campaign.
In a statement released by ZIMCODD, the #TakeAction campaign is meant to raise citizens’ urgency in demanding for transparency and accountability.
“Zimbabwe continues to face serious public accountability and transparency questions seen through the corruption scandals that break every day. This persistent loss of public resources has caused citizens’ lives to get harder as service delivery becomes poorer and economic indicators continue to fall. The brunt of this crisis is faced by the poor & vulnerable,” read the statement.
The campaign is also meant to bring about citizens and other stakeholders to participate in developing a culture of transparency and accountability.
“The #TakeAction campaign is a call to action for all citizens to raise their agency through demanding transparency and accountability. Beyond asking duty-bearers to account (#HowFar), the current campaign is a call to action for citizens to go the extra mile,” the statement read.
The citizen app enables citizens to upload reports on various issues that require accountability.
“The application receives reports report mismanagement of public resources, service delivery issues, corruption etc.
“Citizens can upload reports, journalists can gather evidence for investigative pieces while public institutions such as the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission & Zimbabwe Republic Police can investigate the reported cases,” read the statement.
The campaign was launched online and the citizen app is available for download on Android devices.
ZIMCODD is a socio-economic justice coalition that was established in 2000 to facilitate citizens’ involvement in making public policy more pro-people.
The #HowFar campaign which was launched in 2021 held duty bearers accountable by asking key questions on accountability.

…As Zanu PF primary election campaign reaches climax

Beatific Gumbwanda

CHIREDZI-For the first time in the history of Chiredzi politics, two female candidates have joined the race for parliamentary seats, unfortunately in the same constituency, as Zanu PF heads for primary elections on March 18, with candidates exploring every little opportunity to elbow each other off the race.

Retired Detective Darlington Chiwa’s former wife, Miriam Dhanda joined the race for Chiredzi West, together with Eustina Magocha, who is in the provincial women’s league.

The two women however face a daunting task in their bid to unseat incumbent MP Farai Musikavanhu.

Dhanda has been with the grassroots ever since Chiwa joined politics after retiring from the police force and she is well versed with the politicking of the area, though in most communities, women are deemed inferior to men which may prove to be their only disadvantage.

Chiredzi West constituency is another seemingly tricky battle ground where Roy Bhila is backing Retired Detective Darlington Chiwa, who was defeated by Musikavanhu during the last primary elections.

South African based flamboyant businessman, Shingirai Mubhoyi is also aiming to represent the ruling party in the same constituency, which might be a mammoth task for him, taking into consideration the ties Chiwa has with the Triangle community with Bhila covering him in the wards which were once in Chiredzi North.

The educator and DCC vice chairperson, Norman Sharara is also battling it out with other titans to represent the party in the forthcoming harmonized elections.

Sharara is one of the oldest party cadres, who at consensus should be given the post on a silver platter if the situation was different.

Some aspiring councillors are pumping money towards their campaign especially in the newly established Chiredzi Central constituency.

Chiredzi district, after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commissions (ZEC) delimitation exercise, was left with five from previously four constituencies namely Chiredzi South, North, West, Central and East with most constituencies having more than three candidates vying for tickets to represent Zanu PF in the harmonized polls set for later this year.

In Chiredzi Central, the most heated constituency, two titans, Farai Musikavanhu, a Former Agricultural Director at Tongaat Hulett Zimbabwe (THZ) and currently Chiredzi West Member of Parliament will battle it out with Former Chiredzi Town Council (CTC) chairperson Francis Moyo.

It is still not clear who will make it, though Moyo, a few weeks ago made headlines in newspapers over a Nhamo Commission report, which implicated him in some of the issues which many commented were to the best interest of residents, is seemingly to be gaining ground.

Another geographically big constituency but less populated, Chiredzi South, where Retired Brigadier General Kalisto Gwanetsa is current MP, is still tricky, as part of it was affected by the Dendairy Lucerne project, which may cost him in the upcoming elections as he is poised to battle with former Police Officer and businessman, Joel Sithole.

Only two candidates are also competing in this constituency, with Gwanetsa having an upper hand due to his developmental efforts and good rapport with Zanu PF branches and councillors as compared to Sithole.

Another candidate who might have it easy is Roy Bhila of Chiredzi North who previously garnered close to 50 000 votes during the 2018 harmonized elections. Though the constituency, which was cut both sides into East and West, has no history of retaining a seating MP, the candidates he is facing are presumably weak and cannot match his antics.

Before the delimitation exercise, Shingirayi Mubhoyi, a South African based businessperson was the one who once shook Bhila’s fontanel before he was cut to Chiredzi West.

In Chiredzi North, Bhila will battle it out with Neromwe Chieftainship candidate, Joseph Matumba of the Romwe clan, who is a former Central Intelligence Officer (CIO).

Matumba is not a much threat as he was once completely defeated in the run up to 2018 harmonized elections.

Daniel Mawere, a civil servant is also willing to battle it out with Roy Bhila.

Mawere is currently Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee’s (DCC) Secretary for Information, with ward 20 councillor Yeukai Matsaure also vying for the same post.

In Chiredzi East, all is not well for the former Intelligence Officer, Denford Masiya who has been openly discussed by his royalties that he no longer represents their interests.

Masiya was taking advantage of the Xhangani Community, whose other wards were migrated to Chiredzi South, with the Ndau’s under Chief Gudo also being merged into Chiredzi East, as they are willing to give one of their own Siyaki Mundungehama, DCC chairperson a chance to represent their constituency.

Another former Intelligence Officer and former Provincial Political Commissar Jevas Masosota, is seemingly a better candidate than Masiya, with some allegiance to the remaining Xhangani wards whose interests in Parliament he can represent, will have to face a stiff competition from Mundungehama than from Masiya.

His chances to represent the party are very slim, though he is well popular in the district.

…Mwenezi East presents opportune for political newcomers and periodic losers

Cephas Shava

Mwenezi-The ruling Zanu Pf party’s primary polls slated for Saturday, March 18, is likely set to be one of the most competitive of all races in the three Mwenezi constituencies, Mwenezi East, West and the newly gazetted Mwenezi North as most aspirants for both contests be it legislative and council seats are no pushovers.

Incumbent Mwenezi East legislator Master Makope who has opted to race for Mwenezi North will square off with  former MDC Masvingo Central (now urban) Tongai Matutu and Peter Shotere.

Having been Mwenezi East legislator since the death of former Member of Parliament, Joosbi Omar, Makope has done fairly well in terms of keeping in touch with the electorate.

Given that during his short term in office he at least had something tangible for the people of Mwenezi, there are some possibilities that the electorate can give him another opportunity for a clean full term to fully demonstrate his capabilities.

Makope’s rival Matutu is unpredictable. Given his vast political experience in the opposition ranks coupled with his oratory giftedness, he can pull a shocker for Makope.

Given that Makope and Matutu’s rural homes are just a stone’s throw away from each other, they are also likely to divide votes.

Matutu defected from the opposition movement and joined Zanu PF but judging by the manner in which party leader Emmerson Mnangagwa keeps mentioning his name during political gatherings, he may be a force to reckon.

Matutu commanded a huge following during his tenure in Masvingo urban and this time around, people are ready to see if he can as well command such popularity among the rural electorate considering that in most cases, the urban vote in favour of opposition has been named ‘protest vote’ against Zanu PF.

In the event that the voter sharing concept prevails between Makope and Matutu, Shotere is likely to have the last laugh as he hails far away from other aspirants.

Shotere is a senior Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) employee based in Chiredzi who hails from Mwenezi North’s ward 6.

Although Shotere has little known political experience, he as well is a potential threat to the other contenders because for the past months he had been restlessly moving around the constituency helping people to register to vote and sponsoring sport tournaments.

Mwenezi East constituency is another battle ground without any predetermined winner where a total of five political novices and long-time periodic primary election losers are also tightly locking horns.

Jabulani Mberesi, a lawyer by profession, who came second in the race to replace the late Omar strongly believes that this is his only chance to win the ticket to represent the constituency where he had been a perennial loser in the previous party primary elections.

Yunis Sams Omar, younger brother to the late legislator Joosbi has also submitted his Curriculum Vitae for Mwenezi East.

Resourceful as he is, Sams is banking on using his late brother’s tactics and popularity to win the hearts of the electorate.

Youthful Sheillah Chikomo has also thrown her name into the ring for the Mwenezi East battle.

Well-known in the local party circles and having been visible making some donations and supporting sporting activities in her area, Chikomo has for long been making a name for herself.

A well-known influential Zanu PF member who previously worked at senior party posts, Kenneth Sibanda has also joined the race for Mwenezi East.

One Tavengana Muzenda from Mwenezi East’s ward 13 in Chingwizi area is also among the contenders.

A total of six candidates are vying for Mwenezi West constituency. The incumbent legislator Priscilla Zindari-Moyo who is wife to Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) Director-General Isaac Moyo is being challenged by Tafadzwa Masvayamwando who came second in the 2018 primary election.

Considering her well-resourced campaign team, challenging Zindari-Moyo needs more than a mere talk for the other aspirants.

Masvayamwando, who in the previous polls attributed his loss to massive rigging is hoping for a change of tactics to win the ticket to represent Mwenezi West.

Former Zanu Pf Mwenezi District Chairperson Renious Muchoko has also joined the battle for Mwenezi West together with School head Obey Mbiza.

Clarance Mhosva and one Baloyi are also among those who had submitted CVs for Mwenezi West.

The Zanu PF party Mwenezi races are not only tight for those racing for legislator’s posts but it’s a dog eat dog scenario in the council races.

More than half of the incumbent councillors are likely to be shown the exit door as a new crop of potentially capable local authority representatives have emerged within the Zanu PF.

Winners from the Zanu PF primary elections will battle it out with representatives from the opposition parties in the harmonised elections whose dates are yet to be announced by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.