Zimpapers Logo

Farirai Machivenyika Senior Reporter
FOLLOWING the proclamation of dates for by-elections in Headlands and Hurungwe West constituencies by President Mugabe last Friday, there has been massive interest among Zanu-PF officials to take over seats that fell vacant after the revolutionary party expelled and recalled Messrs Didymus Mutasa and his nephew Temba Mliswa as MPs.

Although the former legislators are battling to have their cases against expulsion and subsequent recall from Parliament heard in the courts, 22 aspiring candidates are already angling to take over the seats in by-elections set for June 10, should more than one candidate successfully file nomination papers on April 8.

Reports say 14 people are eyeing Headlands left vacant by Mr Mutasa’s expulsion, while eight cadres will battle it out at primary polls in Hurungwe West to replace Mr Mliswa.

Read More:

Youths demand Mutasa’s expulsion

Zanu-PF expels Mutasa, Mliswa

Parly to rule on Mutasa, Mliswa

Parly boots out Mutasa, Mliswa

Mutasa, Mliswa contest expulsion

Chidyausiku to rule on Mutasa, Mliswa

Mutasa wasting time: President

In an extraordinary gazette published last Friday, President Mugabe set June 10 as the date for the by-elections and April 8 as the day the nomination courts will sit in Mutare and Chinhoyi respectively to receive nominations from candidates for the by-elections in the two constituencies.

Aspiring candidates in Hurungwe West include Zanu-PF Mashonaland West provincial deputy chairman Cde Keith Guza, Hurungwe Rural District Council chairman Cde Tichaona Matthew, Provincial Political Commissar for the Women’s League Cde Chinjai Manduzuma, councillor for Ward 25 Cde Lovemore Mushawasha, Hurungwe Rural District Council chief executive officer Cde Joram Moyo, retired Major Patrick Maponga, Dorcas Bere, and another identified as Cde Mahere.

Zanu-PF Mashonaland West chairman Cde Ziyambe Ziyambe, yesterday said they would meet as an executive this week to determine the selection of a candidate to contest on the party’s ticket this week.

“Following the proclamation of the dates, we will be meeting this week to discuss the selection of candidates and the dates for the primary election.

“However, what we have been doing was to tell party members in the province and Hurungwe West of the decision that was taken by the party to expel Mr Mliswa,” Cde Ziyambi said.

In Manicaland at least 14 party cadres are reportedly interested in taking over the seat and these include former Manicaland Governor and Resident Minister Cde Tinaye Chigudu, actiong Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans chairperson for Manicaland Cde Nation Madongorere, provincial Youth League executive member Cde Dakarai Mapuranga, Cde Clarice Chimhini, Makoni Rural District Councillors William Chiripamberi and Cde Matheus Dakura.

Others are Cde Christopher Chingosho, Cde Obert Gonzo, Manicaland provincial member Cde Nathaniel Mhiripiri, Cde Albert Nyakuedzwa, Cde Sheila Mahere, Cde Tedious Choko, Cde Tymond Tandi and Cde Elizabeth Makoni.

Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairman Dr Samuel Undenge, said they would wait for direction from the Commissariat department on the way forward.

“We now wait for the Commissariat department to give us direction and guidelines on how to proceed then we will be able to tell you when we will call for applications and the dates for the primary elections.

“We, therefore, encourage party members to desist from premature campaigns so that we maintain the discipline and the unity of the party,” Cde Undenge said.

Messrs Mutasa and Mliswa were expelled from Zanu-PF for bringing the name of the party into disrepute as they were part of the putchist cabal led by former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru that wanted to illegally topple and/or assassinate President Mugabe.

They were recalled from Parliament following their expulsion from Zanu-PF.

The pair have, however, filed a Constitutional Court application challenging their expulsion from Parliament.