Wining Zanu PF candidate vows to stand as an Independent

Mvuma businessman Cripsen Thomu who won the Zanu PF primary elections but torpedoed out of the race because seniors preferred another candidate has declared that he would stand as an independent if the party does not honour his victory.

He said he decided to stand as an independent because he wanted to fulfil the promises that he made to the people of the constituency during primary elections.

The supporters declared that they are going to vote for Thomu instead of Prosper Machando who was declared the winner of the primary elections.

Machando declared during the run up to the primary elections that he was First Lady Auxilia Mnangagwa's preferred Zanu PF candidate.

Efforts to get a comment from the First Lady were fruitless.

"When he was campaigning during the primary elections, Thomu pledged to improve infrastructure and the general welfare of the people in the Chirumanzi-Zibagwe constituency.

He however feels that the electorate in the constituency still needs him to fulfil his promises hence his resolution to stand as an independent candidate if the party refuses to rescind its decision to manipulate the results in favour of Machando," said Banda.

Machando could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.

Zanu Pf Midlands provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mupereri said the party still recognises Machando as its representative for the Chirumanzi - Zibabgwe constituency.

"Thomu has not officially announced that he would contest independently but if he does so, then that's his automatic expulsion from Zanu PF. Machando won fairly and the party therefore has no obligation to resolve any differences Thomu might have with him," said Mupererei.

On Saturday last week, Machando summoned more than two hundred traditional leaders in Chirumanzu and addressed them at Chief Chirumanzu's homestead, a move which, according to other party supporters, was done to seek their support.

"Machando is now in a desperate political mode, to the extent that he is seeking support from traditional leaders who are not permitted by the constitution to participate in politics," said a senior Zanu PF member in Chirumanzu who declined to be named.