Madhuku's NCA to contest Bikita West by-election

THE NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly (NCA) is planning to contest the Bikita West constituency seat which fell vacant following the expulsion of Zanu-PF candidate Munyaradzi Kereke recently.

NCA spokesperson Blessing Vava told NewsDay that his party had plans to contest for the seat.

"Already there is work going on in this constituency and many other parts of the country where the NCA is on a massive membership recruitment drive and building branch and ward structures," he said.

Vava said his party leaders would meet later this month to decide whether or not to take part in the by-election as well as choose the candidate to represent the party.

Sources said NCA national taskforce member Madock Chivasa was the likely candidate for the seat.

Chivasa said he was willing to contest on NCA ticket.

"We are likely to contest for the seat, but the final decision will be made on the 27th when the taskforce meets," he said.

National Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda last week declared the seat vacant after Zanu-PF notified Parliament on the expulsion of Kereke.

Kereke was expelled for defying the party directive to make way for the preferred candidate Elias Musakwa.