War veteran challenges Kaukonde

Ray Kaukonde, Zanu-PF's incumbent Mashonaland East provincial chairperson, faces a challenge from war veteran leader Philemon Mutongi in polls for the provincial chairperson due next week.

Kaukonde was expected to retain his post unchallenged, but Mutongi filed his papers at the last minute, paving way for him to contest Kaukonde.

Kaukonde is MP for Marondera constituency and a businessman of note. He has served as Zanu-PF chairperson for a decade and is also one of the longest serving MPs in Mashonaland East province, having been MP since 2000.

Mutongi, a retired soldier who was based at Zimbabwe Military academy in Gweru, said that he had submitted his CV to the Zanu-PF political commissariat department for him to be considered in the race for the Mashonaland East provincial chair.