Zanu-PF bigwigs, business people square off

BULAWAYO businessmen Mr Raj Modi and Mr Mathew Smith are among 65 aspiring candidates who have submitted their CVs to contest in the ruling party Zanu-PF's primary elections to choose candidates to represent the party in the forthcoming harmonised elections, Sunday News can reveal.

The publication has it on good authority the businessmen will also join the party bigwigs, Youth League and Women's League members who are also vying for the tickets to represent the party. The party's provincial leadership was not forthcoming with names of the aspiring candidates, but impeccable sources revealed some of the names that have dropped their CVs.

Prominent businessman Mr Modi, according to sources, is eyeing Bulawayo East while Mr Smith is reportedly eyeing Bulawayo South. Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Dr Callistus Ndlovu, sources said, is eyeing the Bulawayo Metropolitan Province senatorial seat, and will contest Politburo member Joshua Malinga.

Zanu-PF Bulawayo provincial secretary for administration Eliphas Mashaba submitted his papers for Nketa-Emganwini National Assembly constituency. Mlungisi Moyo, the party's provincial secretary for finance has submitted his papers to contest for the Bulawayo Central National Assembly seat where he is likely to contest Manifest Security managing director Ernest Makandigona Shora.

Zanu-PF Youth League Bulawayo provincial chairperson Khumbulani Mpofu has submitted his papers for the Pumula National Assembly seat where he will battle it out with Godfrey Malaba, the sitting MP. Zanu-PF provincial spokesperson Christopher Sibanda could not give the names and numbers of aspiring candidates who had submitted CVs to contest in the party's primary elections. He said the province was still in the process of collating the figures and the candidates would be vetted afterwards.

"As for now I can't give you the correct numbers because we are still collating the figures. Maybe if you check with me tomorrow (today) after the Provincial Co-ordinating Committee (PCC meeting) I may have the figures," he said.

In Midlands, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Retired Lieutenant-General Sibusiso Moyo will represent the party in the Mberengwa Senatorial after his name was confirmed unchallenged by the provincial election directorate. In an interview after the compilation of the provisional Midlands Province list making up councillors, members of the National Assembly, Senators and Provincial Council who will stand against each other during the forthcoming primary elections, Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairman Engineer Daniel McKenzie Ncube said they received many CVs from aspiring candidates. The meeting was graced by First Lady Amai Mnangagwa.

"We received a lot of CVs from the aspiring party members and of note is the CV of Lt Gen Moyo which was accepted unchallenged for the primary elections to be held soon," he said.

Eng Ncube said the fate of senior Zanu-PF party members namely Tafanana Zhou, Chiratidzo Mabuwa and Tsitsi Zhou whom the provincial executive recommended to be suspended can contest as they wait for the determination from the National Disciplinary Committee.

"In relation to the senior party members whom we recommended for suspension, their cases are still under active consideration and the final decision will be made by the Zanu-PF election commission, taking into consideration recommendation from the provincial election directorate," he said.

Zhou, Mabuwa and Tsitsi Zhou were at loss of words as they thanked Auxillia Mnangagwa for playing a motherly figure which saw them getting a chance to participate in the primary elections. Amai Mnangagwa came straight from Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport after arriving from China where she had accompanied President Mnangagwa.

"Thank you very much mother for allowing us to participate in the primary elections, I will forever be thankful," said Zhou.