Political tension has reportedly hit both Zanu PF and
opposition MDC-T camps in Manicaland province, where disgruntled party members,
who lost in the primary elections, have threatened to shock their leaders by
registering as independent candidates when the nomination court sits on
Thursday.
This came amid reports that both parties held shambolic
primary elections, which left their supporters sharply divided along factional
lines.
The MDC-T is yet to finalise its candidates’ selection
process in some constituencies, where party members have reportedly resisted
imposition of candidates, particularly from MDC Alliance partners.
On Saturday, a handful of MDC-T supporters in Chimanimani
West protested at Nyanyadzi business centre over alleged imposition of former
Energy and Power Development deputy minister Munacho Mutezo as their MDC
Alliance parliamentary candidate.
Mutezo, of ZimPF, is contesting the election on an MDC
Alliance ticket.
The MDC-T members wanted local businessman Canaan Matiashe
to represent them.
Matiashe yesterday said: “The voice of the people is the
voice of the God and I follow what people are saying and I can’t say no to the
people.”
Mutezo said the protesters were not genuine and had been
paid by Zanu PF.
“How can an opposition demonstrate against an opposition?
They were paid by Zanu PF. I am very much aware about that,” he said. “I don’t
think the demonstrators were genuine.
“This election is not about personalities, but
developmental issues. The constituency of Chimanimani West knows who has been
working with them delivering robust projects and assistance to the community.
“That is why Engineer Mutezo is fondly known as Kanotumika.
This is a household name in the constituency.”
MDC-T Manicaland provincial spokesperson Trevor Saruwaka
said: “I am not aware of that. I am sure there will be one list of candidates
representing the party. If other individuals decide to come as independents,
it’s their choice.”
In another development, a Zanu PF source in Manicaland
yesterday said they were planning to shock their provincial leadership on
Thursday.
“We are going to see a lot of surprises on Thursday. I have
talked to some losing candidates and they indicated that they might file as
independent candidates,” he said.
But Zanu PF provincial secretary for administration,
Kenneth Saruchera, downplayed the tension, saying they were still uniting the
losing and winning
candidates.
“I don’t think that there is going to be surprises. We are
going through a healing process to pacify party members. The most important
thing is not the individual, but the party,” he said. Newsday
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