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Nyore Madzianike Mutare Bureau
DANGAMVURA-Chikanga Member of National Assembly, Cde Isau Mupfumi, received a major boost ahead of next year’s harmonised elections after ward chairpersons on Sunday endorsed him as their candidate. The ward chairpersons gave the zanu-pf legislator the thumbs up having been satisfied with the work he has done since his election into office two years ago.

The resolution was announced by Ward Nine chairperson, Cde Knowledge Chipai during a meeting held at Dangamvura High School.

“We have resolved not to have primary elections here in Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency. We sat down as chairpersons and agreed that we shall have one candidate standing for zanu-pf in 2018 and that person is Cde Mupfumi,” he said.

Cde Chipai said youths and the women’s league were also behind the resolution.

He also said the move would also help to do away with internal party squabbles that usually sprout up during primary elections.

“He assumed office about two and half years ago and we felt that during the time he was in office, he was doing someone’s else’s work and now would be his time. We want to give him another term in office so that he starts doing his part in the development of the constituency,” he said.

Speaking at the same meeting, zanu-pf Manicaland provincial secretary for administration, Cde Kenneth Saruchera, challenged the chairpersons, who made the resolution to prove to the national executive that people at grassroots were behind the idea.

He also urged the chairpersons to put their resolution in writing for it to be forwarded to the national executive.

Cde Saruchera said they were targeting to claim all 26 constituencies in Manicaland.

“The resolution, which you have just made and informed us is what we call vision. zanu-pf’s vision is to win elections. If this was done as a strategy to win elections, then the party will be very happy about it.

“zanu-pf as a party accepts such decisions and there is nothing wrong in coming up with a resolution. Bring that resolution and we will take it up with senior party officials. They will then look at it and say this is Dangamvura-Chikanga’s voice.

“There are party guidelines, which govern the manner in which elections are held and I am sure they are yet to be revised.

“The guidelines say if you want to select your candidate, you can do that through primary elections or through a consensus.”

“This is what you have decided, but I want to tell you that your consensus will go through rigorous tests.

“The tests are meant to see whether your preferred candidate has support from the grassroots. You are now left with the biggest task of convincing senior party officials that the consensus has support from the majority of the people,” he said.

Cde Saruchera also urged party members to desist from violence.

Although Cde Mupfumi acknowledged the decision made by the chairpersons from his constituency, he reminded them that the ruling party does not have a culture of imposing candidates for elections.

Cde Mupfumi said if another aspiring candidate comes forward, then there would be need to go for a primary election.

“Let me remind you that the party does not have a culture of imposing candidates for elections. In the event that another candidate comes forward, then we would be left with no option, but to go for a primary election,” he said.

Mutare City Deputy Mayor and Ward 15 councillor, Councillor Collin Mukwada also threw his weight behind the resolution.

“We would like to assure you that youths, chairpersons and women’s league are behind you. We want to lead by example here in Mutare,” he said.