Women dominate MDC primaries

MDC led by Professor Welshman Ncube yesterday held its primary elections in Bulawayo.  The elections were dominated by women who won in five constituencies out of the eight constituencies where primaries were conducted.
Ms Loyiswa Ncube won the right to represent the party in the National Assembly in Pumula constituency, defeating the party's organising secretary Mr Esaph Mdlongwa.
Ms Ncube polled 123 votes beating Mr Blessed Ushe who got 79 votes while Mr Mdlongwa got 63 votes.
The constituencies where primaries were held were Pumula, Mpopoma/ Pelandaba, Bulawayo South, Emakhandeni, Bulawayo Central, Nketa,  Luveve and Bulawayo East.
In Nketa constituency Mr Charles Mpofu polled 90 votes, beating former Bulawayo deputy Mayor Mr Angilacala Ndlovu, who got 51 votes.In Mpopoma/Pelandaba, Ms Duduzile Dube polled 74 votes against Ms Patricia Tshabalala's 54 votes.
In Bulawayo South, Ms Esnath Bulayani won the election after polling 151 votes against Mr John Mpala's 69 votes.In Emakhandeni constituency, Ms Cristabel Sibutha polled 170 votes beating Mr Lot Dumani who got 87 while in Bulawayo Central constituency, Ms Sibongile Maphosa was unopposed.
In Luveve constituency, there was a consensus that Mr Israel Mabaleka, the councillor for Ward 15 will run unopposed.Senator David Coltart was also unopposed in Bulawayo East constituency.
The party's director of policy and research, Mr Qhubani Moyo said the party failed to secure venues to conduct primaries for Nkulumane, Lobengula and Magwegwe constituencies and the primaries for the three constituencies would be held during the week or at the weekend. "The elections were peaceful and fair and everyone accepted the results and pledged to support those who won," said Mr Moyo.