SEVERAL Zanu PF bigwigs, mostly politburo members and
Cabinet ministers, were left in shock yesterday after they lost in the
just-ended party primary elections, a development likely to end their political
careers.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s adviser, Christopher
Mutsvangwa, and Scholarships
minister Christopher Mushohwe were some of the notable casualties who were
routed by “political upstarts’” in an internal election marred by reports of
massive rigging.
Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s mother-in-law, Helga
Mubaiwa was left licking her political wounds in Seke, and war veterans’
spokesperson Douglas Mahiya was also not lucky as he received a drubbing from
Mnangagwa’s nephew, Tongai, in Harare South constituency.
While some Zanu PF sources said the party chair had won by
a wide margin, unconfirmed reports claimed Muchinguri, a constant in Zanu PF
politics, lost to Joyce Bukuta in the battle for the women’s quota in Nyanga,
while Mutsvangwa was blown out by greenhorn, Langton Mutendereki in Norton.
“This is a G40-Gamatox coalition interfering in the Zanu PF
political processes and determined to stop Mutsvangwa because I was at the
centre of [former president Robert] Mugabe’s fall,” an apoplectic Mutsvangwa
said.
“I have been advised to leave things as they are. My
supporters are traumatised, have been harassed and suffered the worst abuses in
violation of their rights as party members.”
He could, however, not confirm the results circulating on
social media. “I have made an appeal to the national commissar Engelbert
Rugeje.
“Revengist (sic) G40-Gamatox cohorts have zeroed in on
Norton with the sole goal of blocking Mutsvangwa as the ruling party’s
candidate in July,” Mutsvangwa said. “In typical manner, they are trampling on
every rule [of] proper electoral practice. They are harrying bona fide party
cadres.”
Mutsvangwa, according to unverified results, polled 197
votes against Mutendereki’s jolting 13 349 in what appeared to be a one-sided
internal poll.
In Matabeleland South, Provincial Affairs minister Abednigo
Ncube was reported to have lost to Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation employee
Omphile Marupi, while former Sports minister Andrew Langa was another casualty.
Another casualty was experienced in Chikomba West, where
Industry minister Mike Bimha lost to medical practitioner, John Mangwiro.
In Mutasa-Nyanga constituency, former ministers Hubert
Nyanhongo and Mike Nyambuya went head-to-head in a battle won by the former.
In Mashonaland East province, besides Mubaiwa, who lost to
Munyaradzi Kashambe, former Industry minister Phenias Chihota also fell by the
wayside.
In Wedza South, Chiwenga’s nephew and former Transport
deputy minister Michael Madanha lost to youth league executive, Tinodaishe
Machakaire, while Provincial Affairs minister David Musabayana retained his
Wedza North ticket.
Machakaire won with 4 177 votes against Madanha’s 1 466.
In Marondera East constituency, incumbent legislator
Jeremiah Chiwetu lost to newcomer Patrick Chidhakwa, who scored 3 597 votes.
In Mutoko East, sitting legislator, Ricky Mawere lost his
party ticket to businessman, Richard Musiiwa.
In Goromonzi North, newcomer MetBank chief executive
officer, Ozias Bvute clinched the seat after defeating Nyasha Matsika and
Kudzai Majuru.
In Midlands, Presidential Affairs and Monitoring
Implementation of Government Programmes minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi lost
his senatorial bid to National Railways of Zimbabwe board chairman, Larry
Mavima
Mushohwe was humiliated by Teedzayi Muchimwe in Mutare
West, while former police spokesperson, Oliver Mandipaka, who suffered the
ignominy of being briefly locked up, lost to little-known, Soul Nzuma in Buhera
West.
Former Constitution Parliamentary Committee co-chairperson
Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana’s attempt to represent Zanu PF in Chivi North came
unstuck against ex-Central Intelligence Organisation provincial boss, Ephraim
Gwanongodza.
Irene Zindi lost to Misheck Mugadza in Mutasa South and in
a Facebook post, she claimed the primary election had been rigged, with people
voting in the dead of night.
Luke Masamvu was reportedly on the ropes, despite having
brought two bus-full loads of his supporters to one polling station in Mutasa
North.
Singer Elias Musakwa took Bikita West, while businessman,
Energy Mutodi won in Goromonzi West, beating Beatrice Nyamupinga, the sitting
MP.
Zanu PF youth league deputy politburo secretary, Lewis
Matutu lost in Zvishavane together with sitting MP, John Holder to little-known
Dumezweni Mpofu.
Reports initially indicated that Grain Millers’ Association
of Zimbabwe boss Tafadza Musarara had lost in Mazowe West to Sports minister
Kazembe Kazembe, but the poll was nullified over alleged irregularities.
Kazembe confirmed that the election results were nullified,
but was confident this would not change the outcome, as he expected a landslide
victory.
“It is only one centre out of 15 and that won’t change the
outcome,” he said.
Finance minister Patrick Chinamasa scrapped through in
Makoni Central, while Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans’ Association
Harare provincial deputy chairperson, Hoyini Bhila, won in Chiredzi North
constituency.
Chinamasa confirmed he had won: “I have won, but I am not
sure about others.”
Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi won Zvimba West, his Local
Government counterpart July Moyo sneaked through with fine margins in Redcliff
and Presidential Guard boss Anselem Sanyatwe’s wife Chido triumphed in Nyanga
North.
Former Lands minister Douglas Mombeshora was claiming
victory by “five votes”, but sources said he had been beaten by another upstart
Precious Chinhamo-Masango for the Mhangura constituency.
Dexter Nduna retained Chegutu West, but not without
incident, after he allegedly fired gun shots to scare away his rivals during a
night of high drama late Monday.
He confirmed that there was violence in Chegutu and he
fired warning shots to protect his agents. “I’m in the counting room. On that
issue, yes, I fired shots to protect my agent, whose life was being
threatened,” the lawmaker said.
Acting Information minister Simon Khaya Moyo confirmed he
would get another chance to represent Matabeleland South in the Senate after
winning the right to stand for Zanu PF amid claims at some point his job was on
the line.
Senator Tambudzani Mohadi shrugged off a stiff challenge
from an-ally-turned-foe Rabelani Choeni for the senatorial ticket, as Albert
Nguluvhe bagged the Beitbridge East parliamentary ticket.
Beitbridge West legislator Metrine Mudau lost to Ruth
Maboyi.
In Shurugwi North, Robert Nyathi emerged the winner after
thumping former minister Francis Nhema, whereas Gweru Vungu sitting MP, Josphat
Madubeko lost to Zifa vice-chairman, Omega Sibanda.
Pedzisai Munanzvi lost his Chirumanzu South seat to
Environmental Management Agency board member, Barbara Rwodzi, while National
Youth Service Gweru district commander, Esau Machinyise won in Gweru urban
after pummelling former town clerk, Godfrey Nhemachena and Tinomudaishe
Chinyoka.
Some losing party candidates in the Midlands province,
however, filed letters of complaint, citing voting irregularities.
Batsirayi Pemhenayi, who lost the Mutare North seat to Mike
Madiro, the Manicaland provincial chairperson, accused his opponent of taking
charge of the distribution of ballot papers and has since written to the
commissariat complaining over the way the polls were conducted.
“This letter serves to complain and nullify the Mutare
North constituency Zanu PF primary elections results, which were solely
conducted by Mike Madiro using stolen ballot papers.
“Madiro conducted secret polls without my polling agents,”
he wrote.
In Gutu South, the late Shuvai Mahofa’s daughter, Fungai,
lost to youth affairs secretary Pupurayi Togarepi.
Official results were announced in Chiredzi, where Chiredzi
West was taken by Farai Musikavanhu, Chiredzi East — Denford Masiya and
Chiredzi South — Kalisto Gwanetsa. Nyasha Chikwinya lost Mutare South to
Jeffrey Ngome. Newsday
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