Zanu-PF Mat South eyes poll clean sweep

Zanu-PF is poised for another clean sweep in Matebeleland South province in this year's harmonised elections after some of its candidates for local government were unopposed at the Nomination Court which set on Thursday last week, an official has said.

Provincial party chairman, Rabelani Choeni, said the development was a morale booster for Zanu-PF and that campaign teams were already on the ground.

At the close of Nomination Court in the province, councillor Sibongile Chauke of Ward 13, Lesanth resettlement area under Beitbridge Rural District Council and the trio of Tobias Sibanda, Thomas Ncube and Paul Ncube from Matobo North constituency had their papers sailing through unopposed and were declared councillors.

A total of 99 people filed for the National Assembly elections in all the 13 constituencies, while another 500 filed for local government elections.

In addition, the MDC Alliance failed to field a candidate in Insiza North, leaving Zanu-PF candidate Farai Taruvinga with easy an walk in the race to Parliament.

"We are confident of another clean sweep this year, just like we did during the 2013 elections," said Choeni.

"The fact that some of our candidates sailed through unopposed at the Nomination Court shows that we have a huge support base and people are confident and comfortable with Zanu-PF and President Mnangagwa.

"We have assembled strong campaign teams which are already on the ground across the province and starting from Tuesday (tomorrow) we are going to be having more rallies addressed by Politburo members.

"As a province, we are poised for a comfortable elections in all the13 constituencies. In essence we are going to collect everything on offer since we have fielded candidates in posts that are on offer."

Choeni said everyone in the party, including those from cell up to provincial level were working hard to ensure a continued dominance by the party in Matabeleland South.