Monday, June 17, 2013

Zimbabwe Revolutionary Party Conducts Peaceful Nominations

Zanu-PF conducts peaceful nominations

Monday, 17 June 2013
Herald Reporters

A number of Zanu-PF sitting legislators sailed through the nomination process conducted over the weekend unopposed after either no one expressed interest in their seats or those who proffered their names were disqualified for various reasons.

The nominations were conducted in a peaceful manner, compared to the MDC-T primaries and confirmations that were rocked by widespread violence that left the Western-sponsored party deeply divided.

Vice President Joice Mujuru is the party’s candidate in Mt Darwin West for the harmonised elections set for July 31 after she filed her curriculum vitae unopposed in Bindura.

The revolutionary party is expected to release the full list of the candidates to contest the primaries elections and those who sailed through unopposed today.

In Mashonaland West, Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo sailed through in Zvimba North constituency after his former wife, Marian, and Cde Edwin Matibiri were dismissed after failing to meet the requirements.

Other sitting legislators who were not opposed in Mashonaland West were Cde Douglas Mombeshora in Mhangura, Cde Sylvester Nguni in Mhondoro-Mubaira and Cde Peter Haritatos in Muzvezve.

According to results that were still trickling in last night, National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo was unopposed for the Senate in Bulilima-Mangwe, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr Obert Mpofu was also not opposed in Umguza and so was Professor Jonathan Moyo in Tsholotsho North.

Reports from Masvingo indicated that Zaka East legislator Cde Samson Mukanduri sailed through, while Cde Edgar Mbwembwe was also unopposed in Chikomba East.

In Manicaland, Cde Joseph Chinotimba was unchallenged in Buhera South, while Buhera North sitting MP Cde William Mutomba sailed through.

ZiFm radio proprietor Cde Supa Mandiwanzira will stand as the Zanu-PF candidate for Nyanga South after his nominaton was not opposed.

Speaking while addressing the Mashonaland Central Provincial Cordinating Committee yesterday, VP Mujuru urged Zanu-PF supporters to overwhelmingly vote for President Mugabe because of his unwavering stance despite more than a decade of onslaught by the West.

She said the West wanted to initiate illegal regime change in the country because of President Mugabe’s policies that empowered indigenous people.

The Provincial Coordinating Committee was meeting to nominate candidates that would fight it out in next week’s primaries.

“We are facing an important and critical phase in the history of the country,” she said. “It is now close to 15 years since the illegal sanctions were imposed on our country in an effort to remove President Mugabe and Zanu-PF from power because our President restored land to its rightful owners.

“The only way we can show our gratitude to the President is to ensure that he wins resoundingly in the harmonised elections.”

VP Mujuru said it was time the dysfunctional inclusive Government was brought to an end through winning the harmonised elections.

Turning to the primary elections, VP Mujuru said the party would not tolerate imposition of candidates.

“Our party is a straight forward party and the rules and regulations that were set up speak strongly against imposition of candidates,” she said.

“The party will not tolerate imposition of candidates, the rules and regulations have made it clear. If anyone notices any official who brings a person telling you that this is your candidate that official risks expulsion from the party.

“Apart from the seats reserved for women all other seats are up for grabs and we want to ensure that we select the best possible candidates to represent the party.”

VP Mujuru urged supporters to give equal opportunities to women and the youth in choosing candidates, especially those that will be chosen under proportional representation.

Yesterday’s meeting was also attended by Politburo members in the province that include Cdes Nicholas Goche, George Rutanhire and Alice Chimbudzi.

Speaking at an inter-district meeting in Mt Darwin, Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central provincial chairman Cde Dickson Mafios spoke against imposition of candidates, adding the watershed elections would determine whether the country was truly independent or not.

Zanu-PF holds 16 out of the 18 House of Assembly constituencies in the province.
In Mashonaland West, Zanu-PF commissar Cde Webster Shamu would be challenged by provincial chairperson Cde John Mafa.

In Zvimba West, former provincial governor Cde Nelson Samukange is battling it out with seven other candidates. Cde Kindness Paradza will challenge sitting MP Cde Ray Kapesa in Makonde.

There were 14 candidates for Sanyati constituency who were challenging Cde Fungai Chaderopa, but the number was reduced to six after vetting.

Most of the successful candidates are male and it was not clear by late yesterday why they were allowed to challenge Cde Chaderopa when the party’s regulations state that female candidates would not be challenged by males.

In Mhondoro-Ngezi, Cde Bright Matonga will face Youth League member Cde Mike Gava and three other candidates.

Addressing aspiring candidates and the sitting MPs from the province before the vetting started yesterday, Cde Mafa said the process must help build the party than divide it.

“This exercise is meant to build the party so that it becomes stronger,” he said. “Today is a big day in that it decides whether we are building or destroying the party. We have rules and regulations that guide us on the dos and dont’s.”

On Saturday, Cde Shamu applauded the enthusiasm and overwhelming interest shown by aspiring candidates, saying it showed the maturity and democractic characteristics of Zanu-PF.

In Manicaland, more than 60 prospective candidates filed their curriculum vitaes to contest in 26 parliamentary seats the province.

Nine candidates, including suspended provincial chairman Cde Mike Madiro and business mogul Cde Isau Mupfumi, successfully filed their papers for Mutare North.

Zanu-PF won the seat in 2008 through the late Cde Charles Pemhenayi.

Mutare South constituency, which is held by Cde Fred Kanzama, attracted another nine candidates.

The biggest battle will be in Makoni Central where Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Cde Patrick Chinamasa will face former provincial chairman Cde Basil Nyabadza.

Brothers, Wilson and Saul Nzuma will be squaring against each other for the right to represent the party in Buhera West.

Harare South legislator Cde Hubert Nyanhongo has switched his interest to Nyanga North where he will battle it out with two other aspiring candidates.

Speaking during a provincial co-ordinating meeting at Marymount Teachers’ College yesterday, provincial chairman Cde John Mvundura implored the people in the province to put aside their political differences.

“We were united during the liberation struggle, but we are now at each other’s throat,” he said. “We want to adopt a resolution as a province which we will forward to our national leaders.

“From today onwards, we have to say: ‘United we stand and win the harmonised elections 2013’. It is very shameful for us people in Manicaland to be known for the wrong reasons as the most divided province.”

In Mashonaland East, some of the candidates whose CVs have been approved include provincial chairman Cde Ray Kaukonde, who is eyeing Marondera Central constituency, and Dynamos football club chairman Kenny Mubaiwa who wants to stand for Seke constituency.

Other contestants for Marondera Central are Cdes Jerry Gotora, Bernard Taruvinga, Harold Gamu, Nelson Watyoka and Luke Mukungati.

In Chikomba West, sitting MP Cde Mike Bimha is being challenged by Cde Douglas Makuku.

Cdes Rumbidzai Mujuru, John Nzara, Felix Mhona will battle it out in Chikomba Central .
Goromonzi South has Cdes Golden Mujawo, Nkosana Mutunze, Tsitsi Nyirenda and Mohamed Hamandishe.

In Marondera East, Cdes Lawrence Katsiru, Jeremaiah Chiwetu, Patrick Makombe, Stanford Kahari have been approved to contest the primaries.

Sharon Mugabe, Petronella Kagonye, Stambile Makamba, Winston Gatsi, and Elliot Mutangadura were disqualified because their history in the party was not clear.

Sources who attended the provincial election directorate meeting said at least 12 candidates were vying for Wedza South constituency.

Goromonzi North Cde Paddy Zhanda is being challenged by Cde Charles Maredza.
Politburo member Cde Sydney Sekeramayi hailed party members for maintaining peace during the nomination process.

“I am happy that this process has been peaceful,” he said. “The elections we are facing are a real fight for the survival of our party. It’s a real fight to defend our independence and sovereignty.”

Cde Kaukonde urged Zanu-PF members to remain united after the primaries.

In Masvingo, provincial chairman Cde Lovemore Matuke said the nomination went on well throught the seven administtive.

Former provincial chair Cde Daniel Shumba will face Cde Joosbi Omar for Masvingo Urban, while Masvingo Central will pit businessman Cde Edmund Mhere against Cde Edson Zvobgo Jnr. In Chiredzi West, provincial governor Titus Maluleke will battle it out against Cde Darlington Chiwa.
Results for other constituencies were yet to be released.

In Harare, the provincial elections directorate was still stitting at the provincial headquarters by last last night.

Provincial chairperson Cde Amos Midzi said the nomination process was long although a lot of ground had been covered.

“We have covered quite a number of areas and everything is on course, but we have to tell you that the process is quite exhausting,” he said.

Zanu-PF provincial secretary for administration in Matabeleland North, Cde Clifford Sibanda said Matabeleland North Governor Cde Thokozile Mathuthu was being challenged by Cde Grace Dube for the Hwange senatorial seat.

“Bulawayo Governor and Resident Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema will fight it out with Cde Zenzo Sibanda and Cde Jabulani Nkomo, the son of the late Vice President Cde Landa John Nkomo in Tsholotsho South.

“Cde Maplot Donga will be challenging Cde Sithembiso Nyoni in Nkayi North. Senator Lot Mbambo will face provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo for the Bubi-Umguza Senatorial seat,” said Cde Sibanda.

Cde Sibanda said he would battle it out with the provincial war veterans chairperson, Cde Sonny Mguni, and Bubi Rural District Council chairperson Cde Sipho Mathambo for the Bubi National Assembly seat.

Cde Sibanda said other applications were still being vetted.

He said Binga candidates were still to hand in their applications.

Zanu-PF chairman for Matabeleland South Cde Andrew Langa said Cde Obedingwa Mguni was unopposed for the National Assembly in Mangwe.

In Beitbridge East, the Minister of Home Affairs, Cde Kembo Mohadi, is being challenged by the district war veterans chairman Cde Philemon Mbedzi, Cdes Johanne Ndou and Cde R Tshili.

Cde Langa said out of the 167 local authority wards, 96 candidates went through the process unopposed.

Cde Langa himself is being challenged by Cdes Gibson Siziba and Patrick Hove in Insiza North.

“Nine candidates will battle it out in Umzingwane, six in Insiza South and we have two each in Bulilima East and West, Matobo North and South,” said Cde Langa.

He said the application vetting process went on smoothly.

In Bulawayo, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu will contest with Cde Joe Tshuma in Mpopoma/Pelandaba constituency while in Pumula constituency Cde Godfrey Malaba will contest with Cde Kenias Sibanda.

Cde Killian Sibanda and Alderman David Ndlovu will contest in Nkulumane constituency while Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube will contest with Cde Peter Baka Nyoni in Makokoba constituency.

A total of six women in the party were also selected for the proportional representation quota.

These are Cdes Eunice Sandi, Molly Mpofu, Mavis Mutodi, Esinath Moyo, Fidelia Maphosa and Sihle Thebe.

The party is yet to release the names of the aspiring Senators.

On Friday, Zanu-PF publicised its rules and regulations governing the conduct of primary elections with emphasis on knowledgeable candidates of good repute.

The rules and regulations provide a quota for six female candidates per province in the parliamentary elections.

The Politburo will meet tomorrow to consider the NED submissions and thereafter, Cde Khaya Moyo will announce the list signalling the start of campaigns by candidates.

The Commissariat department headed by Cde Webster Shamu will train polling officers between 20 and 21 June and also produce and distribute the ballots and other election material to be used during primaries.

The primary elections would be held on 24 June and all members of the party from cell to the Politburo are eligible to vote. The party will use polling stations that are usually used during general elections.

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