Upenyu Chaota
After a chaotic primary election which left many Zanu PF members dejected and crying foul, President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned disgruntled members from contesting in the July 30 harmonised polls as independent parliamentary candidates.
Masvingo North, Chiredzi West and Masvingo South have seen Zanu PF candidates who lost the irregularity-marred primaries filing for nomination as independent candidates.
“Yes we had our primaries. Some candidates won but some were rigged. Some failed in their rigging strategies but we denounce rigging. Leadership should come from the people, no imposition.
“But when we have arrived at this stage, whether you won or lost, Zanu won. If you know you are a true party cadre, you will rally behind the winning candidate.
“I will not take lightly those who contest as independent candidates because they have lost the primaries. I heard there are two or three people here who have been possessed by the spirit of Legion,” said Mnangagwa.
Mnangagwa said Zanu was bigger than any individual and if one tries to put the party into his/her pocket they will fail.
Chiredzi West incumbent legislator, Darlington Chiwa showed up at the nomination court last week in high spirits and announced his intention to contest as an independent candidate saying he will retain the seat for Zanu PF regardless of him being independent.
Chiwa stands a better chance of winning against Zanu PF’s Farai Musikavanhu and MDC Alliance’s Stanley Temba. The constituency has a total of eight candidates.
“I am standing as an independent because I have seen that the constituency cannot be snatched from me like that. If I do not contest, there will be no challenge at all and we will be donating the seat to opposition. I will win the seat and move forward with development,” said Chiwa.
In Masvingo South, Victor Vengei will contest as an independent candidate while Pascal Mudzikisi will also go it alone in Masvingo North.
All the three independent candidates have vowed to support President Mnangagwa and take their seats to Zanu PF if they win the elections.politics
