Rodger Muhlwa withdraws nomination papers, backs Coltart

Rodger Muhlwa, the former Chairman of Highlanders and Zapu candidate for Bulawayo East constituency has formally withdrawn his nomination papers.

The withdrawal of Muhlwa's candidature comes at a time when the MDC led by Welshman Ncube and ZAPU agreed to will back each other's candidates where one does not have a candidate.

Muhlwa was to battle it out with David Coltart who will represent the MDC.

David Coltart immediately tweeted saying: "I would like to extend my thanks to Rodger Muhlwa the former Chairman of Highlanders and ZAPU candidate for Bulawayo East who has graciously decided to withdraw his nomination today. This was announced by the Presidents of ZAPU Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and the MDC Professor Welshman Ncube at the press conference announcing the alliance between ZAPU and the MDC.

"I am delighted by the alliance as I have many old friends in ZAPU from my days in the 1980s when I represented so many of its leaders who were then the targets of Zanu-PF oppression.

"Whilst obviously a wider coalition against tyranny remains an important objective this is a very positive step in the right direction," concluded Coltart.

The remaining candidates are as follows,

Bulawayo East
Kelvin Muzidziwa                      ZANU -PF
Thabitha Khumalo                   MDC-T
David Coltart                           MDC
Tinashe Kambarami                INDIVIDUAL
Kelvin Kasesera                      ZIM PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT
Norman Kaviza                        MKD
Tapson Tivarere                      UMD