According to sources, most of the sitting councillors and
some legislators were dumped as the opposition party sought to weed out
suspected secret agents in its rank and file.
NewsDay understands that the candidate selection process
was hectic and took many hours to complete, with most of the candidates being
disqualified for various reasons.
They also added that incidents of vote-buying and bussing
of supporters by some candidates were a major sin that informed many of the
disqualifications.
“Besides the 11th hour disqualification of almost all
incumbents, the process proceeded smoothly in all wards except in ward 24,
where caucus didn’t take place on numerous allegations of bussing (in of
voters),” a party insider said.
CCC deputy spokesperson Gift “Ostallos” Siziba, who will
represent the party in Pelandaba-Tshabalala, confirmed that several party
heavyweights had fallen by the wayside.
He made the remarks during the launch of the Deputy Prime
Minister in the 2009-13 Government of National Unity, Arthur Mutambara’s book
on Friday last week.
“I have just received a report from our security department
that some of my good friends have been vetted out because you know this
struggle has taken too long, so we are dealing with sell-outs and nincompoops
in our midst,” he said.
In ward 25, there were alleged attempts to disqualify
Alderman Mzamo Dube after he was overwhelmingly nominated.
“The process was chaotic because whoever was able to
transport people was ahead. The process was also slow, while there was sheer
disregard for people’s time. Vote-buying allegations were flying all over as
some candidates were buying people with US$5 notes and alcohol,” the sources
said.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Thokozani Khupe will face off
against Finance and Economic Development minister Mthuli Ncube, who has been on
a campaign trail in Cowdray Park.
In Nkulumane and Lobengula-Magwegwe constituencies, CCC
will be represented by Desire Moyo and Tendai Nyathi, respectively. The former
was selected ahead of Rodney Jele and Kucaca Phulu.
In Pumula, Chelesile Mahlangu was given the nod to
represent the party, while in Bulawayo Central, the party will be represented
by Surrender Kapoikulu, who won against Mbuso Siso.
Descent Bajila was the popular choice in
Luveve-Emakhandeni.
Minenhle Gumede was the people’s choice ahead of Jasmine
Toffa and Elvis Mujeri in Bulawayo North, while in Bulawayo South, Engineer
Mangwendeza was selected ahead of James Sithole and Nicola Watson.
The sources also revealed that in Mpopoma-Mzilikazi,
Desmond Makaza prevailed over Charles Moyo, who was initially disqualified just
before the caucus, but later allowed to contested.
In Nketa, ward 24 selection was shelved for Sunday, while
reports indicated that Obert Manduna alias Paul Manduna was ahead, closely
followed by Mandla Nyathi.
Meanwhile, some CCC sources have claimed that ruling Zanu
PF party affiliate, Forever Associates Zimbabwe (Faz), was allegedly actively
involved in several caucuses where they funded weaker candidates in various
areas.
They said Faz operatives splashed cash in Cowdray Park, Nketa and Mpopoma-Mzilikazi to ensure that weak candidates won in a bid to infiltrate the party. Newsday
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