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Acting zanu-pf chairman for Mashonaland East Province Cde Aeneas Chigwedere (left) leaves the nomination court in the company of aspiring Hwedza North legislator Cde David Musabayana in Marondera yesterday

FOUR candidates aspiring to represent Hwedza North Constituency in the National Assembly, yesterday filed their nomination papers at Marondera magistrates’ courts ahead of the by-election slated for May 15.

The seat fell vacant following the death of former MP Cde Simon Musanhu, who was also deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Climate in January.

Cde David Musabayana of zanu-pf was the first to file the nomination papers followed by Ms Nyarai Precious Manhimanzi of Freedom Front Party around 12pm.

Two other candidates—Messrs Tichaona Makara and Chikukwa Mudzingwa of VIVA TZ (Transform Zimbabwe) party and National Constitutional Assembly party respectively, filed their papers shortly before the nomination court closed.

After the close of the nomination court, Mashonaland East provincial elections officer Mr Collins Munetsi, announced the nominees.

“Since more than one candidate has been duly nominated in Hwedza North Constituency, a poll shall take place on Friday the 15th of May, 2015, in accordance with subsection 17 (c) of section 46 of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), as read with Proclamation Number 2 of 2015,” said Mr Munetsi.

Cde Musabayana, an economist by profession, won the ticket to represent zanu-pf after beating seven other prospective candidates in a primary election held last week.

He garnered 2 227 votes.

His closest rival Cde Antony Parehwa polled 1 583 followed by Cde Aplonia Munzverengi who got 1 533 votes.

In an interview after successfully filing his nomination papers, Cde Musabayana said he was now ready for the election.

“I am happy that God has granted me this favour to represent the people of Wedza North and I am saying will not disappoint,” said Cde Musabayana.

“With God on our side, we are going to make sure that we implement all Zim-Asset programmes, which are the cornerstone to turnaround the fortunes of the people and the country at large.”

He also said once elected, his priority would be to deal with the impending drought and mitigate its impact.

“We also want to focus on development, especially the upgrading of schools not only on infrastructure but academic performance, we want to improve the pass rate.”

“Over and above that we are saying we have long term objectives to implement Zim-Asset, to come up with long lasting programmes so that people will not live on handouts but will have programmes that sustains their lives in the very long term.”

Acting provincial chairman Cde Aeneas Chigwedere urged people to be united and desist from violence.

“I urge all our supporters to be united and rally behind Cde Musabayana and ensure that zanu-pf romps to victory,” said Cde Chigwedere.

Cde Chigwedere also warned the party supporters against complacence in the face of little known political parties saying they should come out in full force no matter how small the opposition parties were.