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Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
Several Zanu-PF members have expressed interest in participating in the June 10 by-elections in constituencies left vacant by 14 of the 21 recalled MDC-T legislators who left the opposition party to join the recently formed United Movement for Democratic Change.

In Harare Metropolitan province, several Zanu-PF members submitted their curriculum vitae yesterday to the revolutionary party’s provincial offices as preparations for the by-elections gather momentum.

There will be six constituencies in Harare that would be open for contest and Zanu-PF intends to add to the six that it already has in the capital which have since 2000 been perceived as the stronghold of the MDC-T.

This comes as the MDC-T has called an extraordinary national council meeting for Thursday to decide on whether or not it should contest the 14 by-elections.

If no major opposition party contests the by-elections, they are likely to be won by Zanu-PF which has never failed to field candidates in any election.

Of the 21 seats, MDC-T will nominate people to fill seven seats won through proportional representation using the party’s share of the vote in the July 31, 2013 harmonised elections both in the National Assembly and Senate.

Some of the people who submitted their CVs in Harare include Central Committee member Cde Justice Zvandasara and Cde Mavis Gumbo, who were some of those eyeing Harare East constituency to replace Mr Tendai Biti.

In Highfield West constituency, Zanu-PF deputy director of information and publicity Cde Psychology Maziwisa, former Zanu-PF candidate in the July 2013 harmonised elections Cde Emmanuel Juta and former councillor Cde Jackson Maombera were some of those interested in replacing Mr Moses Manyengavana.

In Kambuzuma, former legislator Cde Oliver Chidhawu and Cde Tinashe Mapirivana were some of those who had expressed interest in taking over the constituency from Mr Willias Madzimure.

In Dzivarasekwa constituency, Zanu-PF deputy national political commissar Cde Omega Hungwe and Cde Never Kowo were keen to replace Mr Solomon Madzore.

In Kuwadzana, Cde Betty Kaseke was among those that had submitted their names to replace Mrs Lucia Matibenga.

Harare provincial commissar Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe said the process of receiving names of prospective candidates had started.

“We are still receiving CVs for our candidates,” he said.

“We have confidence in their calibre.

The process has been going on well and we are confident to win all the six seats.”

The 14 by-elections will be held the same day with those of Headlands and Hurungwe West that seek to replace expelled Zanu-PF legislators, Messrs Didymus Mutasa and his nephew Temba Mliswa

In a Government Gazette published last Friday, President Mugabe set April 16 as the date when the Nomination Court will sit in five provincial capitals to receive names for those that intend to contest the by-elections.

The MDCs have been rapped over their boycott of by-elections that fell vacant following the recall or death of Zanu-PF and MDC-T MPs.

Political analysts said the stance taken by the MDCs, in their various guises, is very surprising given that they, along with Zanu-PF, participated in the biggest reform since independence, the authorship and adoption of the new Constitution which offers the framework for all the by-elections being held beginning today.

The three parties also negotiated the Electoral Act which governs the conduct of the elections.

More so, political analysts said, any reforms the parties may be hankering for can only come through Parliament in which representation and numbers are essential to push through any changes to the laws.