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Cletus Mushanawani and Samuel Kadungure

THE stage has been set in what promises to be a tough contest in the much-awaited Zanu PF primary elections to choose the candidates that will represent the ruling party in the forthcoming harmonised elections as an array of interested candidates submitted their Curricula Vitae for vetting.

The primary elections are part of the revolutionary party’s internal democracy to choose the right candidates who have the mandate of the membership to square up against the opposition parties in the watershed plebiscite expected in August this year.

The old guard, young turks and women have thrown their hats in the ring and the die has been cast in the elections which will likely see political obituaries being written to those who took the electorate down the garden path and failed to deliver on their promises during the past five years.

Some candidates adopted the “Missing Person” tag after disappearing from the political landscape soon after winning their seats during the 2018 harmonised elections.

With elections being a game of numbers, aspiring candidates this week engaged the top gear to win the hearts of voters in the cell registers which will be used as the internal poll voters’ roll.

Zanu PF national secretary for finance in the Politburo, Cde Patrick Chinamasa will supervise the elections in Manicaland.

The party’s First Secretary, President Mnangagwa has called for violence-free primary elections.

A total of 123 candidates submitted their CVs to the provincial elections directorate gunning for the 26 National Assembly slots in the province, while 13 cadres are eyeing the six senatorial seats.

In the Women’s Quota, 30 candidates submitted their CVs for the six slots allocated to the province. Five candidates below 35 years will battle it out for the single seat under the Youth Quota.

A whooping 917 CVs were received for the 260 local authorities’ seats in Manicaland.

Candidates who were uncontested include ZANU PF national chairman, Cde Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri (Women’s Quota, Mutasa); Women’s League national secretary for administration and Cde Monica Mutsvangwa (Senator, Zimunya/Marange); Politburo deputy secretary for administration, Cde Mike Nyambuya (Senator, Mutasa); Central Committee member, Cde Hubert Nyanhongo (Senator, Nyanga); outgoing Buhera North MP, Cde William Mutomba (Senator, Buhera) and Cde Thembinkosi Chiororo (Senator, Chimanimani).

Under the Youth Quota, provincial youth chairman, Cde Stanley Sakupwaya (Makoni) faces a tough challenge from four other candidates – Cde Blessing Mutomba (Buhera), Cde Law Tiengane (Chimanimani), Cde Dunmore Mambondiyani (Mutare), Cde Adonieighjah Nyabadza and Cde Munashe Mabika (Chipinge).

The largest district in the country, Makoni, which has five National Assembly seats, namely Headlands, Makoni Central, Makoni North, Makoni South and Makoni West, saw 41 candidates submitting their CVs.

Makoni North has the highest number of aspiring candidates, including the sitting legislator, Cde James Munetsi; followed by Headlands which has eight candidates, among them the sitting MP, Cde Christopher Chingosho and former national youth secretary, Cde Kudzi Chipanga. 

Makoni South also has eight candidates eyeing the seat that is currently occupied by Cde Misheck Mataranyika, while in Makoni Central, six candidates, among them Cde Basil Nyabadza, Cde Shepard Nyika and Cde Gilbert Muponda will fight for the party ticket to wrestle the constituency from MDC-T MP, Mr David Tekeshe.

Other candidates are Cdes Shadreck Mavhunduse, Charles Mukaronda and Denny Muchabaiwa.

The constituency with the least candidates in the district is Makoni West where the incumbent, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Dr Jenfan Muswere will lock horns with Cdes Moses Ruwona and Mativenga Mhiripiri.

Eight candidates, among them Cdes Sekai Mutsvangiri, Beauty Benge, Happiness Nyakuedzwa, Lucia Chitura, Faith Mhondiwa, Agatha Mugomba, Philipa Mukoko and Redempter Gwasira are eyeing the Makoni Women’s Quota seat.

A bruising battle is on the cards in Mutare North where Politburo member, Cde Mike Madiro will battle it out with Central Committee member, Cde Admire Mahachi; former MP for the area, Cde Batsirayi Pemhenayi, Cde Sibongile Chinoera and Cde Edgar Maziwisa.

In Mutare South, the sitting legislator, Cde Jefry Ngome has to contend with a spirited challenge from Cdes Godfrey Chikosi, Godfrey Harahwa, Brian Munakamwe, Felix Mugadza, Founder Jakachira, Collen Muchayi and Tawanda Dumbarimwe. 

Five candidates are vying for the Mutare West seat, among them the sitting legislator, Cde Percy Muchimwe. The Johanne Marange Apostolic Church spokesperson, Cde Nyasha Marange has also thrown his name in the hat, together with Cdes Brighton Manengureni, Headman John Mafararikwa and Thomas Munjoma.

In Mutare Central, businessman, Cde Isau Mupfumi who migrated from the former Dangamvura-Chikanga Constituency will not have a stroll in the park as he faces the only Zanu PF councillor in Mutare City Council, Cde Resistance Mundembe and Cde Pamela Razemba.

The battle of the lightweights is in Dangamvura Constituency where Cdes Clide Jani, Mwanyara Jusa and Thinkmore Muchenje are in the race to represent the party.

Other candidates include Cdes Mathew Nyashanu, Samson Matema and Cornelius Magwede (Buhera Central); Tonderai Manakira, Phillip Guyo and Amos Mukomba (Buhera North); Joseph Chinotimba, Ngonidzashe Mudekunye and Freddy Chimbari (Buhera North); Maxwell Chikwangani, Soul Nzuma, Tafadzwa Mugwadi, Wilson Nzuma and Gelly Miti (Buhera West).

Cdes Joshua Sacco and Kelvin Macherenje will battle it out in Chimanimani East; while Cdes Nokuthula Matsikenyere, Lawrence Poperwi and Wilson Maphosa will fight for the Chimanimani West party ticket.

In Chipinge, Cdes James Simango, Simba Mwaingeni, Raymore Machingura, Dorothy Mabika, Landelani Mapungwana, Linda Mathathu are vying for Chipinge Central; Gift Nyarai, Lincoln Dhliwayo, Enock Dongo and Chipo Museri (Chipinge East); Kipani Bhila, Enock Porusingazi and Robert Nyemudzo (Chipinge South); Angeline Gata, Simon Simango and Adam Chimwamurombe (Mutema-Musikavanhu).

Other candidates eyeing Makoni North are Cdes Partson Tandire, Nyarai Nyagomo, Ronnie Masaka, Melody Nemaire, Witness Madziturira, Passionate Majachani, James Munetsi, Roy Warenga, Jimias Masimura, Brighton Mupfupairi, Brighton Mahohoho, Joseph Muwombi, Francis Muchenje, Tonderai Makwanya, Witness Madziturira and Daniel Chigudu.

In Makoni South the other candidates include Cdes Albert Nyakuedzwa, Peter Njenda, Stanley Mbawa, Edward Mukoyi, Tobias Pedzayi, Nigel Mombeshora and Edward Mukoyi.

In Headlands we have Cdes Kenneth Chisiye, James Chipunza, Christopher Chingosho, Farai Mapfumo, Innocent Magutakuona and Moses Mikundi.

Mutare Urban has Cdes Micah Reketai Duru, Zamani Sithole, Martin Makaya, Kenneth Muchina and Malcom Masarira (Chikanga).

Mutasa District has Cdes Innocent Benza and Wellington Sakupwanya (Mutasa Central); Obey Bvute, Chido Madiwa, Moses Maya, Pardon Marembende, Hatirambi Chidawanyika and Ellis Zindi (Mutasa North); as well as Cdes Misheck Mugadza, Peter Makunyire and John Madhanzi.

In Nyanga District, Cdes Supa Mandiwanzira, Moses Kavhenga and Paul Kadzima will fight for the Nyanga South party ticket while Cdes Chido Sanyatwe, Moses Gutu and Nicodemus Chibvura will battle it out in Nyanga North.