Zanu-PF Insiza North primary marred by allegations of rigging

Controversy has erupted in Zanu-PF following the party's primary election held in the Insiza North constituency, with Moses Langa emerging as the winner amid accusations of vote rigging, violence and electoral fraud.

The primary poll, held on May 3, was meant to select the party's candidate for an upcoming by-election triggered by the death of sitting MP Farai Taruvinga, who succumbed to cancer on March 31 while serving his second term.

Seven candidates contested the internal vote, with Langa - son of former legislator Andrew Langa - clinching victory with 2,478 votes, according to results announced by presiding officer Headman Moyo. Delani Moyo followed with 1,564 votes, while former Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) commissioner Qhubani Moyo came in third with 983.

The other candidates - Davison Moyo (271 votes), Sifiso Mpofu (157), Nkosana Mthunzi (97) and Ernest Ncube (16) - trailed far behind. A total of 33 ballots were declared spoiled.

However, the announcement of Langa's victory has been met with fierce backlash from within the party. Several members have accused senior officials of manipulating the outcome in Langa's favour, with allegations of widespread vote-buying, intimidation, and irregularities at ward level.

"We have conducted the by-elections and Langa was announced the winner after violent campaigns. But we believe that the winner is Delani, who was wanted by the people," a party member told Southern Eye.

Another supporter accused the party leadership of favouritism, saying Langa's campaign was bolstered by the provision of four vehicles and leftover 2023 presidential campaign T-shirts, allegedly used to sway voters.

"There were serious inconsistencies between the figures announced and what polling agents recorded at ward level," the supporter added. "If the party continues to impose candidates, it risks alienating loyal supporters."

Accusations also included the use of food handouts, particularly rice, as a means to influence votes, with critics questioning the silence of senior officials on the alleged malpractice.

Zanu-PF director of communications Farai Marapira responded by urging aggrieved members to use official complaint mechanisms within the party.

"There are channels which must be followed for members to lodge their complaints. The party does not tolerate cheating, but if they do not follow channels, this remains rhetoric," he said.

Marapira also called for party unity in the lead-up to the by-election, saying primary elections should not divide the membership.

"Primary elections are not the end. We expect everyone to rally behind the winning candidate during the by-elections," he said.

Despite the official stance, tensions remain high in the constituency, with many grassroots members demanding that the party leadership intervene to address what they view as a deeply flawed process.