'Bhora musango' candidate in trouble over protest vote

Robert Nyemudzo, the disqualified Zanu-PF candidate for Chipinge South constituency, is scheduled to undergo a disciplinary hearing in Mutare today. He is facing allegations of orchestrating a protest vote, commonly known as "bhora musango," which resulted in the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party winning the seat.

Nyemudzo initially won the Zanu-PF primary elections against Enock Porusingazi but was later disqualified after being accused of illegally brewing alcohol at his Checheche homestead. He was subsequently arrested and sentenced to 18 months in jail after appearing at the Chipinge Magistrates Court. This left Porusingazi as the Zanu-PF party candidate.

Porusingazi, however, lost to CCC's Clifford Hlatshwayo, which caused dissatisfaction among the Zanu-PF leadership in Manicaland province. Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Tawanda Mukodza confirmed the disciplinary hearing, stating, "He (Nyemudzo) will appear before a disciplinary committee led by Comrade Linda Matatu tomorrow (today)."