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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency has embraced Midlands provincial deputy youth chairperson, Cde Prosper Machando, as the party candidate for the forthcoming elections.

A section of party members, supporting losing candidate Cde Chrispen Tomu, led by councillor Tremendous Musara, recently protested against the declaration of Cde Machando as the party candidate and once disrupted a provincial coordinating committee meeting in Gweru over the matter.

It had been earlier announced that Cde Tomu had won the primaries, but the results did not include three other party districts that had failed to vote.

The votes were later compiled following the completion of the voting process and it emerged that Cde Machando had garnered more than 5 000 votes against 3 500 amassed by Cde Tomu.

Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman, Cde Daniel McKenzie Ncube said the party had resolved the matter amicably and Cde Machando was the party’s candidate for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe.

“The party has resolved that Cde Machando will be the party’s candidate for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency in the forthcoming elections,” he said.

“We engaged Cde Tomu and had several meetings with the disgruntled members and they have understood it.

“Cde Tomu is now campaigning for Cde Machando and he has done a tremendous job. I also engaged Clr Musara. The matter has been resolved amicably.”

President Mnangagwa was the first Member of Parliament for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe before First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa took over when he was elevated to the presidium in 2014.

Eng Ncube said the party had oiled its machinery for the forthcoming elections, with all the losing candidates campaigning for the winners.