Cde Kasukuwere
Herald Reporters
Zanu-PF will conduct primary elections in nine constituencies in Harare, Midlands and Manicaland provinces today ahead of 14 by-elections to be held on June 10.
The by-elections were precipitated by the recall of 21 MDC-T legislators from Parliament last month which will see the MDC-T filling the other seven seats which it won on proportional representation in the July 31 2013 harmonised elections.
Zanu-PF Political Commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere yesterday announced the contestants that were approved to take part in the by-elections, adding that primary elections for Bulawayo province would be held later next week.
“There will be 14 candidates who will represent the party in the by-elections and the party is now organising primary elections in the provinces affected,” he said. “This weekend we will have primary elections for Harare, Manicaland and Midlands, while Bulawayo will come in the middle of the week once we have put in place the necessary logistical arrangements.”
Cde Kasukuwere said in Harare, the party’s Secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo will be overally in charge of the primary elections.
In Harare’s Highfield West, Cdes Emmanuel Juta, Psychology Maziwisa, Alexander Matafi, Regis Muguva and Norbert Chikumbo will battle it out for the right to represent the party, while Politburo member Cde Patrick Zhuwawo will supervise the poll in the constituency.
Cdes Doubt Mhike, Pious Madzinga, Tawanda Musengi, Gladys Muvuti and Musafare Muchemwa will contest the primary election for Glen View South under the supervision of Senate Deputy President Cde Chen Chimutengwende.
In Kuwadzana, party secretary for Transport and Social Welfare Cde Oppah Muchinguri will supervise the election that will be contested by Cdes Betty Kaseke, Lloyd Makuwe, Tauya Mauka and Joseph Mutezo.
The primary election for Kambuzuma will feature Cde Tinashe Maduza, Samuel Mvurume, Samuel Chinyowa and Oliver Chidau, with party deputy secretary for the Youth League Cde Kudzanai Chipanga supervising the poll.
Party deputy secretary for Transport and Social Welfare Cde Daniel Shumba will supervise the primary elections in Dzivaresekwa that will be contested by Cdes Omega Hungwe, Never Kowo, Francis Chanduru, William Muhipe, George Chimhinhi and Tichaona Kapfunde. The primary election for Harare East will be contested by Cdes Mavis Gumbo, Stanley Mau Mau, Chris Chuchu, Justice Zvandasara, Margaret Sithole, Milton Chaniwa and Terrence Mukupe under the supervision of party deputy secretary for national security Cde Lovemore Matuke.
In Manicaland’s Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency Cde Reketai Duru, Kenneth Muchina, Esau Mupfumi, Future Pariyana and Binali Yard will battle it out for the ticket to represent the party, with party secretary for Education Cde Joram Gumbo supervising the elections.
In Mbizo constituency, the contest will be between Cde Knowlet Hove and Vongaishe Mupereri under the supervision of party Secretary for Health, Child Welfare and the Elderly Cde Cleveria Chizema.
Harare provincial chairperson Cde Goodwills Masimirembwa yesterday urged party supporters in the province to vote peacefully during the primary elections.
He said those who lose should accept the results and avoid causing divisions within the party.
“We have recommended that those who lose will be campaign managers for the winners,” said Cde Masimirembwa.
“If they lose they should not think that it’s the end of the world, but they should continue working for the development of the party.
“We will take disciplinary action against those who lose and not participate in any party activities.
“We will suspend you. I know you (party supporters) are campaigning and you should continue doing that. We want all the six seats to come to Zanu-PF.”
The recall of the MDC-T legislators was a culmination of the infighting in the party that saw a faction led by former Harare East MP and the party’s secretary general Tendai Biti breaking away to form the MDC Renewal Team.
The Renewal Team has since merged with former MDC-T secretary general Professor Welshman Ncube’s MDC to form the United Movement for Democratic Change.