The Sunday Mail
Sunday Mail Reporters
Voting in Zanu-PF’s primary polls ahead of the June 10 and May 15 parliamentary by-elections took place in nine constituencies yesterday.
Central Committee member Cde Esau Mupfumi secured the ticket in the Dangamvura-Chikanga race, while results for the other eight were not ready at the time of writing as polling extended well into the night.
There were isolated skirmishes in Harare East and Dzivaresekwa over alleged polling irregularities.
Most polling stations in Harare opened around noon, with polling officers attributing the delay to a Zanu-PF strategic planning meeting.
A presiding officer in Kambuzuma, Cde Lucky Masamvu, said: “We have asked for forgiveness from the electorate. We were supposed to have closed doors at 4pm but we will no longer do so and we have reassured the electorate that we will only close the doors after we have served the last voter.”
In Harare East and Dzivaresekwa, police and party security officers had to quell skirmishes.
The Harare East candidates were Cdes Mavis Gumbo, Terrence Mukupe, Chris Chuchu, Justice Zvandasara, Margaret Sithole, Milton Chaniwa and Stalin Mau Mau. Those for Dzivaresekwa were Cdes Omega Hungwe, Never Kowo, Francis Chanduru, William Muhipe, George Chimhinhi and Tichaona Kapfunde.
At Chikurubi Support Unit polling station, 106 people had voted within two hours of the polling station opening.
In Highfield West, Cdes Emmanuel Juta, Psychology Maziwisa, Alexander Matafi, Regis Muguva and Norbet Chikumba squared off; while Cdes Tinashe Maduza, Samuel Chinyowa, Samuel Mvurume and Oliver Chidau contested in Kambuzuma.
Kambuzuma chief presiding officer Cde Patrick Zhuwao hailed Zanu-PF’s commitment to democracy by holding primary elections.
In Glen View South, Cde Chen Chimutengwende, who supervised polling, said despite a few hiccups, voting progressed smoothly.
In Dangamvura-Chikanga Cde Mupfumi garnered 1 110 votes ahead of Cde Binali Yard’s 745, Cde Micah Duru’s 586, Cde Kenneth Muchina’s 522 and Cde Future Pariyani’s 67.
Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Joram Gumbo, who was the returning officer, said: “The party has been the winner because we conducted the election in a mature and democratic manner. Let us now look forward to the June 10 election with the aim of getting the seat for the party.”
In Matabeleland North, provincial chair Cde Richard Moyo said they would not allow Tsholotsho North to fall to the opposition.
Politburo member and Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo will represent Zanu-PF in the constituency after his unanimous endorsement.
Cde Richard Moyo said: “We are a united party, especially here in Matabeleland North.
“We did not even have to hold primary elections because we knew what we wanted and people out there are fast realising this.
“Just look at the confusion that is happening within the MDCs; it is clear testimony that we are the only party that has the people’s needs at heart. Right now, our teams are busy campaigning, everything has been set in motion.
“After the nomination court we will dispatch Politburo and Central Committee members to bolster the current teams on the ground and I would like to declare to anyone with doubt out there that come 10 June Tsholotsho North will come back to where it belongs.”
Two weeks ago, Cde Keith Guzah won the Hurungwe West primary while Cde Christopher Chingozho won the Headlands race.
