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Minister Chombo

Felex Share Senior Reporter—
The Zanu-PF Politburo yesterday ordered a rerun of the elections to choose a substantive chairperson in Masvingo, which were inconclusive last month due to heavy rains and logistical challenges. The Politburo also directed that some Zanu-PF cadres should not superintend over the polls again, as they had vested interests with names such as Harare provincial commissar Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe being mentioned, as examples.

Zanu-PF secretary for administration Cde Ignatius Chombo confirmed the nullification of the Masvingo elections after the revolutionary party’s 307th Politburo meeting in Harare.

“The elections will be re-done at a date to be announced,” he said.

The nullified February 23 elections had seen former Masvingo chairperson Cde Ezra Chadzamira thrashing his rival Cde Mutero Masanganise with 12 393 votes against 4 888.

VP Emmerson Mnangagwa

About 64 percent of the 408 party districts in the province had voted.

Voting was still to be done in 165 districts and out of these, 10 were from Cde Masanganise’s home area, while 40 were from Cde Chadzamira’s home area.

Sources said President Mugabe would soon meet with his two deputies, Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko, to choose the person who would be in charge of the elections.

Politburo member Cde Joram Gumbo presided over the first elections.

VP Mphoko

“Much time was devoted on the Masvingo issue and there was debate on whether or not to confirm the elections,” said a source. “In the end, it was agreed that elections be held again to give everyone a chance to have a say in the election of their chairperson.

“It was also seen that disagreements were mainly on the chairperson of the main wing, hence the decision not to have elections for the Youth League and Women’s League. The President also called for the dropping of characters such as (Cde) Mashayamombe who had shown bias during the initial elections.

“Some chairpersons from the seven that had been brought by national commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere refused to continue with the elections, even in areas that had no problems, after seeing that the results in some wards were not in their favour.”

Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe

Cde Chombo said Youth League secretary Cde Kudzanai Chipanga had also presented a post-mortem of the 21st February Movement celebrations held in Matobo recently.

“The event was well attended and the celebrants were well fed and transported to and from the venue,” he said. “Due to this event, the nearby school was renamed Matobo Junior School, which was previously called Rhodes Junior School.

“President Mugabe expressed his gratitude to the party’s Youth League and the nation on the successful hosting of these celebrations.”

Cde Chombo said the Politburo was informed on the party’s preparations for the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) by secretary for business liaison and development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni.

Cde Chipanga

The party’s theme for the trade fair will be “Offering Innovative Strategies for Sustainable Development.”

Cde Kasukuwere also presented the commissariat report, saying the party was generally stable in all the provinces.

“He stated that the party had won several council by-elections in Manicaland, Mashonaland East and Masvingo,” Cde Chombo said. “Preparations for the Mwenezi East by-election are well under way, with the Zanu-PF party gearing itself for yet another landslide victory through our candidate Cde Joosbi Omar.”

The by-election, set for April 8, will see Cde Omar squaring off against ex-Masvingo Provincial Affairs Minister and ex-legislator for the area Mr Kudakwashe Bhasikiti of ZimPF, Mr Welcome Masuku of NCA and Mr Turner Mhango of Free Zimbabwe Congress party.