Canvassing for support hits fever-pitch in Zanu-PF

Bikita West parliamentary aspirant, Madock Chivasa, of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), says he is ready to give Zanu PF its second by-election defeat, with the ruling party wary of such an embarrassing recurrence.

The Bikita West seat fell vacant in July when Munyaradzi Kereke was recalled from Parliament after his 10-year incarceration for raping a relative.

The by-elections are set to be held in January next year.

A recent visit to Bikita witnessed several campaign rallies in the constituency, as canvassing for support has hit fever-pitch in Zanu-PF.

Chivasa, who is also the NCA spokesperson, said he was ready to hand Zanu-PF a successive by-election defeat.

"I am very confident that I will win the seat. I am campaigning very hard," he said in an interview.

Zanu-PF is being represented by Beauty Chabaya.

However, the party's provincial chairperson, Amasa Nenjana said the Norton case will not be replicated in Masvingo.

"In the Norton by-election, some of us sold out. It was an own goal, as there were allegations of factionalism. This, however, is not the case with the Bikita West by-election," he said.

"Everyone is determined to win this time around and we are trying our level best so that we retain the seat."