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Bulawayo Bureau
ZANU-PF Bulawayo and Matabeleland South provinces have come up with three candidates each to battle it out for the provincial chairmanship post on Saturday. The two provinces are some of the seven that are yet to hold elections. In Bulawayo, the provincial co-ordinating committee election directorate yesterday held a meeting to come up with the final list of candidates while in Matabeleland South it received applications from aspiring candidates on Friday.

In an interview after a closed door meeting at Davies Hall yesterday, the party’s Bulawayo provincial headquarters, provincial chairman Professor Callistus Ndlovu said party members were free to choose a candidate of their choice.

“Preparations for elections are going on well. We have revised the list of candidates for those to stand in the main wing, women’s league, youth wing as well as those to be elected for other posts,” said Prof Ndlovu.

He said the final three vying for the chairman post are himself, Cde Douglas Ndlovu and former chairman Cde Killian Sibanda.
Cdes Joseph Tshuma, Simon Khabo and Tendai Ncube have since withdrawn.

Prof Ndlovu could not be drawn into giving reasons for their decision to withdraw and chose to say: “I think they decided to support one candidate and maybe go for the basket posts like vice-chairman.”

He said the provincial commissariat would today start a verification process around the province’s structures.
“Starting on Monday the commissariat department will visit each constituency to verify the list of voters, checking whether it is up to date.

“Those eligible to vote should have cast the ballot during the 31 July harmonised elections,” Prof Ndlovu said.
He said the decision to contest the election was his and no one wanted to impose him.

“There were complaints about imposition of candidates which was never there,” said Prof Ndlovu.
“The PCC had come up with an idea that there should be no contest for the post of chairman as it felt that any change of leadership would affect developmental work that is going on at the Davies Hall. I decided to stand for election — there is no problem about that because I do not fear anything,” said Prof Ndlovu.

Prof Ndlovu and his team had started renovating Davies Hall and the provincial executive felt the project would not be completed if a new chairman was chosen.

He claimed there was a section of party members who were “trying to use some technical issues” to allege that he was being imposed as a candidate.

“Some people might have tried to use this as a technical mishap, saying I did not want to step down as a Central Committee member,  but it makes no difference once somebody is elected he or she goes back to the Central Committee.

“People are free to choose whoever they want,” said Prof Ndlovu.
He said yesterday’s meeting was planned earlier to prepare for the elections against reports that the province was on a panic mode and called an emergency meeting.

Politburo member Cdes Angeline Masuku, Eunice Nomthandazo Moyo and Sikhanyiso Ndlovu attended the meeting.
Candidates for the Women’s League are the incumbent chairperson Cdes Sihle Thebe, her predecessor Cde Ever Bitu, Cde Monica Mguni, Bhekizitha Hlanganiso and Barbra Gatsi.

Those vying for the youth wing are Cdes Mabutho Moyo, Khumbulani Mpofu, Fundisani Dewa, Freedom Murechu, Nkosana George Mazibisa and Farai Mteliso.

In Matabeleland South incumbent provincial chairman Cde Andrew Langa would be challenged by Cdes Phumuza Ndlovu and Lloyd Siyoka.

Cde Siyoka’s application had PCC members to thank for allowing him to contest despite not being seconded as per procedure.
The province said it would seek guidance from the national office over the matter.

In the women’s league, provincial chairperson Cde Alice Dube would not be challenged.
The provincial youth league chairperson, Cde Washington Nkomo would also retain the post unchallenged after strong contender Cde Dingumuzi Phuthi withdrew from the race.

The secret ballot system would be used in the elections.