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Conrad Mupesa in Mhangura
Zanu-PF will not brook imposition of candidates and every step will be taken to ensure that people exercise their right to choose leaders of their choice, Politburo member Cde Prisca Mupfumira has said. Cde Mupfumira assured the electorate that the new dispensation will strive to restore people’s rights as enshrined in the party’s constitution.

Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at Rickstone Farm in Mhangura constituency recently, Cde Mupfumira, who is also Senator for Makonde, said improper vetting and imposition of candidates had no room in the new era.

“There will be no imposition of candidates in this year’s primary elections. The party will go by the voice of the masses; so people shouldn’t be worried,” she said.

“The new era seeks to restore lost legacy; hence the need to respect the will of the electorate. Unlike the previous years where corrupt leaders imposed candidates on you, Mashonaland West Province has new faces in the Politburo, who are concerned with hearing the voices of the majority. I will be representing our province together with Cde Christopher Mutsvangwa and Cde Edna Madzongwe in the Politburo.”

Cde Mupfumira was responding to Chimanimani District political commissar Cde Charles Mashawire, who had raised fears that candidates might be imposed.

She said some aspiring candidates who were popular with the electorate were elbowed out after supposedly falling foul of criteria.

“The new Government is trying hard to correct the previous injustices and seeks to create a level playing field for all the candidates and give room to deserving candidates, who are wanted by the electorate,” said Cde Mupfumira, who is also Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister.

She encouraged women to challenge for positions in this year’s elections as they had the potential to drive the nation forward.

“You should not be afraid to participate in the elections as you constitute the majority of voters. Most women are development-oriented; hence, the need to participate in politics.”

Some members fear that papers for aspiring candidates might be sabotaged in the same way most fell victim ahead of the 2013 primary elections.

Cde Mupfumira conceded that some of the disqualifications were aimed at paving way for “sacred cows” loyal to some of the leaders then.

She urged party supporters to campaign for the party’s Presidential candidate, President Mnangagwa, for a resounding victory in this year’s harmonised elections.

“Currently, nobody has been given the green light to campaign for any position as we are yet to be told by the party’s leadership, but as for now, the party is only campaigning for its Presidential candidate Cde Mnangagwa, who was elected during the party’s congress in December last year,” she said.

Cde Mupfumira later handed over football kits and balls to Chimanimani and Takunda districts in preparation for the Makonde Senator’s Sports Tournament, which she sponsors.

The tournament, which will be hosted in Mhangura later this year, will be launched at Chinhoyi Stadium on Saturday.