Zanu-PF, MDC-T fire rebels

Zanu-PF and MDC -T have fired all rebel members who filed their papers with the Nomination Court on Friday to contest as independents in the parliamentary and council polls set for 31 uly after losing at primary elections level.

Although the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) said the full list of the candidates contesting in the elections who successfully filed their papers with the Nomination Courts might be ready today, results on the ground reveal that scores of disgruntled members filed papers to stand as independents countrywide.

A number of Zanu-PF members among them former Manicaland provincial chairman Mike Madiro (Mutare North), Dorothy Mabika (Chipinge Central), Marian Chombo (Zvimba North), Daniel Garwe (Murehwa North), Richard Mavhunga (Marondera Central) Rumbidzai Mujuru (Chikomba Central), Machiri (Mutare Central), Shylet Uyoyo (Bikita South) and Jonathan Samukange (Mudzi South) filed their nomination papers last Friday as independent candidates.

MDC-T members also chose to stand as independent candidates after losing in primary elections some under controversial circumstances.

These include Mr Geoff Nyarota (Makoni South), Gerald Chitsa (Gutu North), Moses Mare (Chiredzi West), Felix Magalela Sibanda (Magwegwe), Regai Tsunga (Mutasa South), Kidwell Mujuru (Luveve-Cowdray Park), Samuel Sandla Khumalo (Pelandaba-Mpopoma), Carlos Mudzongo (Marondera Central), Cleopas Machacha (Kariba), Tonderai Kusemamuriwo (Magunje), Nicholas Chigwende (Hurungwe Central), Enerst Mudimu (Chegutu West), Christopher Maonera (Mhondoro-Mubaira) and Severino Chambati (Hurungwe West).

Scores of other officials who defied their parties might be known today.

Zanu-PF national political commissar Webster Shamu, yesterday said the rebels automatically dismissed themselves the moment they filed as independent candidates.

This is a standing rule Zanu-PF has been implementing for years.

"Anyone standing as an independent has automatically expelled himself or herself from the party. If they want to follow what Jonathan Moyo did in the previous election, which made him accepted back in the party, this time it is different," he said.

Shamu said Zanu-PF would not accommodate the rebels in the party again.

Prof Jonathan Moyo made a passionate plea yesterday to Zanu-PF members who filed nomination papers as independent candidates to withdraw, branding his similar move in 2005 a "horrible and miserable" experience.

The MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora, described party members who opted to be independents as good riddance.

"There are two types of candidates who stood as independent. Candidates who did not succeed in primary elections and then chose to run as independent. In respect of those candidates, they expelled themselves from the party. The party does not owe them any duty anymore. They are actually opponents of the party. Such persons are good riddance because they could actually sponsor divisions while in the party. They are clear cut opponents of the party and how would you strategise with them. Strategising with them is like strategising with our opponent Zanu-PF," Mr Mwonzora said.