Former Tongaat agric director enters political fray

Daggers are drawn in Zanu PF for the 2018 plebiscite.

Dark horses are entering the race and in Chiredzi District, the most notable political newcomer seeking a seat in 2018 is former Tongaat Hullet agricultural director, Farai Musikavanhu.

Dog-eat-dog fights have emerged particularly in Chiredzi West which covers Chiredzi Town, Triangle and Hippo Valley, where Musikavanhu who is well-oiled financially has set out to unseat battle-hardened Chiwa.

Another aspiring candidate for the Zanu PF ticket for the same seat is Raymond Sharara who is a Schools Inspector under the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.

Although the party is still to declare the official season for campaigns, the picture is different on the ground with Chiwa and Musikavanhu making pronouncements at public meetings.

Chiwa in particular has been attacking Musikavanhu describing him as a bad person.

Meanwhile Musikavanhu has made some landmarks in the constituency by giving donations and building schools. He says though that this is not for politics but has been his way of life.

 "I am in the battle and so far I know two other people in Zanu PF who want my seat. Let them come I am ready for them and let them use their money. I will deal with them as the time comes" says Chiwa.

"It is too early to make an announcement but if people of Chiredzi West give me work to do, I will accept. Donations are part of my life, I built a church and various structures as well as supported many orphans with school fees. What I am doing is not linked to politics," said Musikavanhu.

Three candidates including sitting MP Robert Mukwena have shown interest in Chiredzi North. Mukwena will battle it out with Roy Bhila, a Mkwasine based farmer and secretary general of the Commercial Sugarcane Farmers of Zimbabwe and Oversear Mupambiki who is also a Mkwasine farmer.

Bhila is already on the ground talking about Mukwena's alleged long absence from the constituency. He is assisting communities in the constituency through funding various projects.

There will be a two way battle in Chiredzi South where sitting MP, Rtd General Kallisto Gwanetsa will likely face Ailess Baloyi.

The two battled it out in 2013 and Baloyi was trounced at primary elections.
It is still not clear who will stand up to Chiredzi East MP Denford Masiya.
MDCT and ZimPF are not yet visible on the ground, this may be due to the coalition negotiations that are going on.