News / Local
Bhasikiti chickens out of Mwenezi East race
30 Jan 2017 at 09:37hrs | Views
In the wake of a ZANU PF resounding victory in the Bikita West by-election, Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF) prospective candidate for the pending Mwenezi East by-election, Kudakwashe Bhasikiti is contemplating withdrawing his candidature for fear of losing to the ruling party.
Zanu PF has a proven track record of winning by-election.
However, the only dent was in Norton last year after independent candidate Temba Mliswa won.
A well-placed ZimPF official based in Masvingo confided with Bulawayo24.com on Sunday on Bhasikiti latest moves.
"I can authoritatively confirm to you that Bhasikiti is contemplating not to contest in the forthcoming by-election. His view is that a further defeat of ZimPF would result in the electorate losing confidence in the party ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections," the source said.
Although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is yet to announce the dates for the Mwenezi by-election, which fell vacant in December last year following the death of Zanu PF legislator Joshua Moyo.
Bhasikiti who was expelled from both Zanu PF and the government for supporting Joyce Mujuru had initially shown interest in the seat.
"I have the interest to serve my people so that their lives improve, but I will wait for the party and people to decide," he is quoted saying by Daily News on Sunday.
However, Bulawayo24.com heard that Basikiti has had a change of heart, probably fearing defeat.
Meanwhile, the local media recently reported on the resignation of ZimPF's Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Claudius Makova, following the party's humiliating defeat at the hands of ZANU PF during last Saturdays Bikita West parliamentary by-election.
Makova is being accused of having brushed aside the provincial executive's advice and railroaded the Joice Mujuru led opposition party into participating in the by-election.
Zanu PF has a proven track record of winning by-election.
However, the only dent was in Norton last year after independent candidate Temba Mliswa won.
A well-placed ZimPF official based in Masvingo confided with Bulawayo24.com on Sunday on Bhasikiti latest moves.
"I can authoritatively confirm to you that Bhasikiti is contemplating not to contest in the forthcoming by-election. His view is that a further defeat of ZimPF would result in the electorate losing confidence in the party ahead of the 2018 harmonised elections," the source said.
Although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) is yet to announce the dates for the Mwenezi by-election, which fell vacant in December last year following the death of Zanu PF legislator Joshua Moyo.
Bhasikiti who was expelled from both Zanu PF and the government for supporting Joyce Mujuru had initially shown interest in the seat.
"I have the interest to serve my people so that their lives improve, but I will wait for the party and people to decide," he is quoted saying by Daily News on Sunday.
However, Bulawayo24.com heard that Basikiti has had a change of heart, probably fearing defeat.
Meanwhile, the local media recently reported on the resignation of ZimPF's Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Claudius Makova, following the party's humiliating defeat at the hands of ZANU PF during last Saturdays Bikita West parliamentary by-election.
Makova is being accused of having brushed aside the provincial executive's advice and railroaded the Joice Mujuru led opposition party into participating in the by-election.
Source - Byo24News
