This was one of the resolutions made at the just-ended Zanu
PF five-day induction workshop held in Gweru.
Speaking at the workshop which was closed to the media,
Zanu PF national political commissar Mike Bimha (pictured) reportedly said
losing candidates should wait for the next election to try their luck.
“So far I don't know any candidate who will contest as an
independent candidate, but if you contest as an independent candidate, you would
have automatically expelled yourself from the party," Bimha said.
“We have instances where years later those independent
candidates would apply to be re-admitted to the party because it is cold out
there but it will be a matter for a disciplinary hearing.”
For those candidates who lost in the primary elections,
they should wait for another election and President Emmerson Mnangagwa said
there is no winner and there is no loser in the party and when the national
chairperson (Oppah) Muchinguri addressed the matter, I was in Masvingo."
Some aspiring candidates feel they were unfairly kicked out
of the race and are contemplating contesting as independent candidates.
Sources who attended the workshop told NewsDay that
Muchinguri declared that all Zanu PF members who will contest as independent
candidates will have automatically expelled themselves from the party.
“During the workshop, our national chairperson Muchinguri
said all those members who want to contest as independent candidates will be
expelled from the party for good,” said the source.
“She noted that some party members have been taking
advantage (of the fact) that the party would forgive them later, but this time
she said they will not tolerate party members who contest as independent
candidates.”
The sources said a party feared that the independent
candidates would split the vote in some constituencies and give the opposition
an upper hand. In the past, party members who contested as independents would
be suspended from the party for at least five years.
Several Zanu PF bigwigs lost in the chaotic primary
elections last month following allegations of violence and rigging.
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