THE ruling Zanu-PF party has expressed confidence in
reclaiming the Kwekwe Central Constituency seat ahead of the impending
by-election for the vacant seat.
The seat was left vacant following the untimely death of
Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo, who was the only legislator representing the
National Patriotic Front (NPF) in the house of Assembly.
Matambanadzo won the seat on a Zanu-PF ticket during the
2013 elections before again winning it on a NPF ticket after he was fired form
the ruling party.
Although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is still
to come up with a solid decision on whether to conduct by-elections or not
given the Covid-19 outbreak, aspiring candidates have hit the ground running.
The development comes as Zec announced that it was
proceeding to fill the proportional representation vacant seats which arose
after the opposition MDC-T party recalled some of its parliamentarians because
it is bound to do so under the law, giving hope that a by-election may be held
for the seat.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial spokesperson, Cde Cornelius
Mpereri confirmed that aspiring candidates were already on the ground trying to
garner votes.
“I can confirm that there are some aspiring candidates who
are on the ground in preparation of the primary election. This is being done
while we await guidance by Zec as you are aware they are yet to decide on
whether to conduct elections or not given the Covid-19 outbreak,” said Cde
Mpereri.
He said although it was yet to be officialised, there were
some aspiring candidates who were already working towards reclaiming the seat
for the party.
“It is their democratic right and as a democratic party, we
cannot stop any party cadre from contesting as long as they meet the required
standards. But we are yet to have official information on who is aspiring as we
will also await the Central Committee to guide us on the way forward,” said Cde
Mpereri.
Although he could not be drawn into naming those who are on
the ground, a fierce battle is expected between the previous candidate, Cde
Bishop Kandros Mugabe who was thwarted by Matambanadzo in the 2018 election and
Cde Energy “Dhala” Ncube.
Cde Mupereri expressed optimism that this time Zanu-PF
would win the seat.
“We are definitely reclaiming the seat this time around as
we are emerging stronger than before. We have learnt from our past mistakes and
this time we will make it right. We are also taking advantage of the fracas in
the MDC-A. They are currently at sixes and sevens and we will definitely be
ruthless in such a situation,”
Meanwhile, MDC-Alliance Midlands Provincial Spokesperson,
Dr Takavafira Zhou said the party was yet to come up with a candidate to
represent the party in case of a by-election. Chronicle
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