PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa’s special adviser and Zimbabwe
National Liberation War Veterans Association chairman Christopher Mutsvangwa’s
opponent in Zanu PF Norton primary elections Langton Mutendereki has dug in his
heels promising a bloody nose for the former Cabinet minister.
Mutendereki won the first round in the contentious Zanu PF
internal selection process for the right to represent the ruling party in the
general elections expected later this year, but the result was nullified after
Mutsvangwa loudly protested claiming “rigging”.
While sources close to Mutsvangwa claimed there were
“negotiations” for Mutendereki to “step aside” the little-known politician
poured cold water on the suggestions.
“There are moves to try and persuade Mutendereki to step
aside. Talks are in progress,” said a source close to the issue, adding this
might allow Mutsvangwa a free passage to stand as a Zanu PF candidate.
But Mutendereki yesterday said he would not be distracted
by “heresay”.
“There is nothing like that. I am preparing for the primary
election re-run and ready for it. It is not correct. In fact, nobody has
approached me either cordially or in a threatening fashion. I am still very
much in the race,” he said.
Mutendereki said he was more emboldened and convinced than
ever now that he will be Zanu PF candidate come the general election.
“It’s not true that I’m being threatened to quit the rerun.
Those are lies, in fact, I’m raring to go and will win this time with a wider
margin . . . my friend even if the elections are held 100 times I will still
beat Mutsvangwa,” Mutendereki said.
“During the first round, I was 75% sure that I would win,
but now I am 100% certain. I won without anyone’s help and ready for it,” he
said.
Mutsvangwa refused to comment on the issue or his chances
in the re-run.
“No comment,” came the curt response. The war veterans’
leader claimed Mutendereki had received help from Mashonaland West Provincial
Affairs minister Webster Shamu and his wife Constance during the primary
election.
Mutsvangwa also lashed out at Zanu PF political commissar
Engelbert Rugeje, whom he accused of conspiring to remove his name from the
ballot paper. The former Cabinet minister also raised the red flag on Rugeje’s
“abuse” of police as returning officers during the snap internal poll.
Norton is one of the eight constituencies in Mashonaland
West ordered to conduct fresh elections after the initial phase was marred by
irregularities.
Mutsvangwa became unpopular in Norton after stopping
projects he had started after he was expelled from Zanu PF.
He was said to have removed a borehole he had installed and
televisions in public places.
Independent Norton MP Temba Mliswa said Mutsvangwa was a
“cry baby” and was likely to get another drubbing because he is being imposed.
Mliswa said if Mutsvangwa did the unthinkable by pulling a
surprise win that will be the end of Zanu PF in trying to wrest the seat from
him, saying Mutsvangwa was unpopular among Zanu PF supporters because of what
he did after his expulsion.
“Mutsvangwa is a cry baby he is not man enough to accept
defeat and he is likely to get another hiding because he is very unpopular with
the people of Norton . . . if he happens to win in the second round my passage
back to Parliament will be a stroll in the park. Zanu PF never learns they did
it in the by-election and now they want to repeat the same mistake of imposing
candidates,”he said.
In Chegutu West, the winner of the first round MP Dexter
Nduna, who was facing disqualification has been thrown back into the ring.
The politburo stated that all people facing criminal
charges in courts will not be allowed to represent Zanu PF in any election.
Nduna is facing two counts of discharging a firearm in a
public place and public violence.
Contacted for comment on the issue Zanu PF spokesperson
Simon Khaya Moyo said he was in a meeting, but Nduna confirmed his
participation.
“I have been allowed to participate in the rerun after it
was seen that there are some people who didn’t want me to participate,” Nduna
said. Newsday
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