Zanu-PF probes 'rigged' CC elections

Zanu-PF party last week deployed a team to investigate reports of rigging during the central committee (CC) elections held a few months ago.

The deployment of the team from its party headquarters in Harare came after party members in several districts petitioned their leaders over a flawed election process.

The probe team visited Murewa, Hwedza and Mutoko districts.

The team interviewed disgruntled members and district co-ordinating committee officials over the rigging allegations.

A top provincial member who refused to be named confirmed the visit by the probe team.

"The probe team was in the province recently investigating or probing CC election rigging claims in some districts. They visited Hwedza, Mutoko and Murewa. These are the districts that had disgruntlements over how the CC elections were run. One of the probe team members was Miriam Chikukwa who led the investigations in Hwedza," the official said.

According to a petition signed by party officials from Hwedza district, and seen by NewsDay, candidates for the CC elections were barred from witnessing vote counting and there were allegations of vote buying, among others.

Zanu-PF provincial spokesperson Tatenda Mavetera said she would respond after consulting her superiors on the issue.

"I will get back to you as soon as I get a response from my chairman (Daniel Garwe)," Mavetera said.

Zanu-PF officials in Hwedza, Mutoko and Murewa confirmed the visit by the probe team.

The party held chaotic CC elections that were marred by irregularities that include alleged rigging and imposition of candidates.