MDC-T primary elections update

THE MDC-T confirmation exercise and primary elections in Manicaland and Masvingo saw a number of sitting parliamentarians being rejected by their constituencies.

Four sitting legislators out of the 14 the party has in Masvingo were rejected by party structures during the confirmation exercise and would now be subjected to primaries, putting their political careers in limbo.

Two other sitting candidates in the province chickened out, with their opponents having to be confirmed unopposed.

The Bikita West sitting candidate and national council member Mr Edmore Marima was saved when the confirmation exercise was called off.

Masvingo provincial organising secretary Mr Enerst Mudavanhu was also protected after the results for the confirmation exercise in which he was defeated in Zaka North were set aside.

Mr Marima and Mr Mudavanhu escaped defeat after their confirmation was abandoned on the grounds that they were not feeling well.

MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said party's rules stipulated that candidates who fall ill should be spared from the primaries until they recover.

In Manicaland, the confirmation exercise was abandoned in Dangamvura-Chikanga, while a primary election in Mutare North was called off.

Sitting candidate Mr Giles Mutsekwa was contesting against Mr Arnold Tsunga in Dangamvura-Chikanga, while incumbent Mr Gabriel Chiwara was up against Mr Wirimayi Mutasa in Mutare North.

"The exercise was postponed in these two constituencies after disagreements emerged on the composition of the electoral colleges," Mr Mwonzora said.

"Some people raised disputes over the colleges and once that happens we postpone the elections in order for us to verify the structures. We will probably return there in a week."

Results obtained by late night showed that a number of sitting candidates failed to secure confirmation in Masvingo, while all of those in Manicaland whose constituencies had finished the confirmation exercise had been retained.

Those who failed the confirmation exercise in Masvingo were provincial spokesperson Mr Harrison Mudzuri of Zaka Central, provincial youth chairman Mr Oliver Chirume in Gutu Central, Gutu North legislator Mr Hamandishe Maramwidze and Chiredzi West legislator Mr Moses Mare.

Provincial secretary Mr Tongai Matutu was confirmed in Masvingo Urban, together with Mr Heya Shoko in Bikita West, Mr Ransome Makamure in Gutu East and Mr Jani Vharandani in Bikita South.

Businessman Mr Takanayi Mureyi sailed through unopposed in Masvingo West after all the other aspiring candidates, including sitting legislator Mr Tachiona Chiminya, rallied behind him.

Mr Allan Moyo won the ticket to represent the MDC-T in Masvingo Central where incumbent legislator Mr Jeffreyson Chitando chickened out.

Other primaries were held in Chivi South where Mr Xavier Wamambo won, while in Chivi North Mr Bernad Chiondegwa sailed through.

In Chivi Central, Dr Tapiwa Murambi won the primaries, while Mr Eriam Musendekwa won the primaries in Gutu South.

Masvingo North primaries were won by Mr Nobel Mugabe, while Mr Boas Manyanye won in Gutu West.

In Masvingo South, the primaries were won by Mr Lovemore Matongo.

It was not clear last night if the party eventually managed to get candidates for Mwenezi East, Mwenezi North, Chiredzi North and Chiredzi South where no one offered themselves even after financial rewards were dangled for prospective candidates to come forward.

In Manicaland, legislators who sailed through the confirmation exercise were Mr Willard Chimbetete in Nyanga South, Mr Prosper Mutseyami in Musikavanhu, Mr Webber Chinyadza in Makoni West, Mr Meki Makuyana in Chipinge South and Mr Nyamudeza Sibonile in Chipinge South.

Other constituencies in the province were still holding either the confirmation exercise or the primary elections by late last night.