Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – A former councillor won the MDC-T Chiredzi West primary elections which were, however, described as not credible because of widespread allegations of rigging, with one of the candidates’ name missing from the ballot paper.
Stanley Temba, who is former Ward 3 councillor, won the elections after garnering 530 votes followed by Charles Jacobs with 515 and Simbarashe Baloyi with 509 votes.
His competitors, however, cried foul saying Temba and presiding officer, Lovemore Chinoputsa plotted to rig the elections.
UK-based businessman, Dr John Manganye’s name was struck off the ballot paper altogether.
MDC – T leaders, Nelson Chamisa is expected in Chiredzi this Saturday to try and solve the grievances.
Critics of the electoral processes said Temba and Chinoputsa opened a bogus polling station in Ward 27 where ballot boxes were stuffed, giving Temba 347 votes at that single polling station while his rivals got nothing.
When contacted for comment, Chinoputsa dismissed the allegations, saying the process went well.
“People voted very well in Chiredzi,” said Chinoputsa
However, a party member who refused be named said Zaka West constituency aspiring candidate, Festus Dumbu caught one boy trying to use Temba’s BVR slip to vote and he handed him over to Chinoputsa.
Dumbu’s cell phone was not reachable for comment but Chinoputsa said he did not know about the allegations.
“We never received such kind of report from Dumbu. We just heard by rumours that someone was caught using Temba’s BVR slip in Triangle but the issue was never brought to our attention,” Chinoputsa said.
A total of 13 polling stations were used, with Baloyi leading in seven of them, followed by Dusty Zivhave but Temba carried the day thanks to the controversial Ward 27 polling station.
During his time in council, Temba was named in some corruption allegations and some party supporters have said his candidature in the primaries will not do the MDC Alliance any favour.
Zanu PF has since fielded Farai Musikavanhu as its candidate for Chiredzi West after the former Tongaat Hulett agriculture director beat Chiredzi Town chairperson, Francis Moyo and current MP, Darlington Chiwa in the ruling party’s own chaotic primary elections.
Moyo and Chiwa have since dismissed the primaries as a sham and have indicated they will contest in the general elections as independents.politics
