Former MDC-T MP's supporters block primary elections

Supporters of former MDC-T Gweru Urban legislator Roderick Rutsvara on Sunday blocked the holding of primary elections in the constituency for councillors, as they are still disgruntled with the manner in which he lost to Local Government deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai.

The supporters said the elections for councillors could not proceed before the Rutsvara and Zvidzai issue was resolved. Rutsvara was beaten by Zvidzai in the House of Assembly primaries to represent the Gweru Urban seat,but the latter's supporters argued that the elections were not held in a transparent manner.

MDC-T Midlands South provincial spokesperson, James Tsuro, confirmed that Rutsvara's supporters disrupted the elections, but he downplayed incidences of violence.

He said in Mkoba the elections for councillors were held in a peaceful manner and that the Gweru Urban poll had to be cancelled because Rutsvara's supporters blocked them.

"The Gweru Urban primaries for councillors had nothing to do with disgruntlement from contestants," Tsuro said.

"It is just that Rutsvara's supporters came to the venue at Mtapa Hall demonstrating that they were not happy with the results in which Rutsvara was beaten by Zvidzai. So that is the main reason we decided to cancel them."

He said they were still waiting for a way forward from the national office on the best way to go since nomination dates for candidates have been set for tomorrow.