Kudakwashe Bhasikiti
.…noise-making substitutes secret ballot at chaos-marred poll
Moses Ziyambi
MDC Masvingo Senator Tichinani
Mavetera and former Zanu PF Mwenezi East Member of Parliament (MP) Kudakwashe
Bhasikiti were today humiliated after they received the least endorsement
during the party’s chaotic provincial process to elect people who will be
deployed to the national executive.
Mavetera and former Zanu PF Mwenezi East Member of Parliament (MP) Kudakwashe
Bhasikiti were today humiliated after they received the least endorsement
during the party’s chaotic provincial process to elect people who will be
deployed to the national executive.
The two had hoped to use their
somewhat rising profile in the party to get places but that was not to be as
participants favoured their rivals. Former provincial spokesperson Dusty Zivave was also one of the high-profile losers.
somewhat rising profile in the party to get places but that was not to be as
participants favoured their rivals. Former provincial spokesperson Dusty Zivave was also one of the high-profile losers.
Those who won are former MP
Edmore Marima (Bikita East), former senator Misheck Marava (Masvingo), senior
members Bernard Chiondengwa, Takanayi Mureyi and Margaret Chakabuda.
Edmore Marima (Bikita East), former senator Misheck Marava (Masvingo), senior
members Bernard Chiondengwa, Takanayi Mureyi and Margaret Chakabuda.
In the women’s wing, Mai Mangava,
Mai Gwamadondo, Mai Matenga and Mai Chibhebhe prevailed.
Mai Gwamadondo, Mai Matenga and Mai Chibhebhe prevailed.
Nothing happened in the youth
wing because elections to choose the new provincial youth leadership are yet to
be held. Attempts by one of the factions to push through Masvingo Ward 4
councillor and new national youth organiser Godfrey Kurauone failed after they
were vehemently resisted.
wing because elections to choose the new provincial youth leadership are yet to
be held. Attempts by one of the factions to push through Masvingo Ward 4
councillor and new national youth organiser Godfrey Kurauone failed after they
were vehemently resisted.
Voting was done not by secret
ballot but through noise-making, with candidates that received the loudest
cheers from the gathering when their names were called being declared winners.
ballot but through noise-making, with candidates that received the loudest
cheers from the gathering when their names were called being declared winners.
This was after the accreditation
of voters was aborted following serious fighting between rival camps to control the
process.
of voters was aborted following serious fighting between rival camps to control the
process.
After the violence and
disagreements worsened, it was announced that the event had been cancelled and
many members left, but vice president Lynette Karenyi-Kore, in consultation
with the provincial executive, later allowed proceedings to continue.
disagreements worsened, it was announced that the event had been cancelled and
many members left, but vice president Lynette Karenyi-Kore, in consultation
with the provincial executive, later allowed proceedings to continue.
The divisive accreditation
exercise was, however, aborted and all those that had not gone back home were
allowed to participate.
exercise was, however, aborted and all those that had not gone back home were
allowed to participate.
“This was not a legitimate process.
Many people did not vote because they had gone back home after it was announced
that the elections had been cancelled due to violence. After all, how can noise-making replace secret ballot in a democratic process?” said one party member who
spoke to TellZim News after people began to disperse.
Many people did not vote because they had gone back home after it was announced
that the elections had been cancelled due to violence. After all, how can noise-making replace secret ballot in a democratic process?” said one party member who
spoke to TellZim News after people began to disperse.
