The process which began on 5 April when interested
candidates submitted their names, saw the list being initially vetted by
provincial coordinators, who in Bulawayo were led by former Bulawayo
Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) coordinator, Dr Rodrick Fayayo.
The vetted list was submitted to the national leadership
under Mr Chamisa before being once again brought back to the provinces where
they were further vetted with the Bulawayo vetting taking place on Independence
Day at the party offices.
The final list of names has now been submitted back to the
party’s national leadership where they will be subjected to “security vetting”
before they are brought back to what the party has termed “citizen caucus”
which will determine the final candidates.
According to sources, the citizen caucus will include key
stakeholders, chief among them being from members of BPRA, who ironically have
a host of potential candidates vying to represent the party including their
chairperson, Mr Ambrose Sibindi who wants to represent the party in Nketa. A
majority of district and ward chairpersons are also vying to represent the
party in the local government elections.
“The so-called citizens will mostly be members of BPRA, the
provincial coordinators are current and former employees of BPRA, which shows
you that already the primary elections are far from being free and fair. It is
clear that the residents’ association has turned into an extension of the CCC
rather than just being a movement representing the needs of residents,” said
one of the participating candidates.
The party has also reportedly endorsed former Education
Minister, David Coltart and Habakkuk Trust Executive Director, Mr Dumisani
Nyongolo Nkomo as their possible candidates for the city’s Mayor and Deputy
Mayor respectively.
Former Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami, who was recalled
from the council by MDC-T leader, Mr Douglas Mwonzora, is also vying for ward
three and according to the party sources, believes he should be the party’s
rightful candidate for Deputy Mayor.
“It is the stance on Mr Coltart and Mr Nkomo that is bound
to further divide the party as they are pushing out Councillor Tawanda Ruzive
and Clr Felix Mhaka both of whom have been actively funding the party in the
province and were among the first to openly declare allegiance to CCC. Further,
there seem to be kingmakers who are dictating who should be endorsed and who
shouldn’t, therefore as it stands the list that will come out will highly
likely not be a true reflection of what the people want,” said the source.
Meanwhile, the party’s candidate nomination list, which the
party leader shared on social media has been heavily criticised, as among other
requirements, the interested candidate must provide details of their “loyalty
to the Creator”.
Interested candidates must also provide proof of the number
of voters they managed to get registered, means of current survival, life
achievements, state any allegations of corruption and provide details of
honesty and ethical conduct.
“Our candidate credentials and track record vetting will be
thorough and meticulous,” wrote Mr Chamisa on his Twitter page. Sunday News
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