Mnangagwa's wife to contest by-election

Auxillia Mnangagwa, the wife of Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, will be the Zanu-PF candidate seeking to replace her husband as Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency legislator, after being cleared to to contest in the by-elections set for 27 March.

The seat fell vacant after Mnangagwa was elevated to the vice presidency post, and according to the constitution, a legislator vacates his/her position if s/he becomes vice president or president.

This means that by-elections will also be held in Mt Darwin West constituency, which fell vacant after Dr Joice Mujuru was sworn-in as Vice President before her recent firing fromgovernment.

For Chirumanzu-Zibagwe constituency, Auxillia Mnangagwa is the Zanu-PF candidate following a decision made by the party's Midlands Provincial Elections Directorate.

Zanu-PF Midlands Provincial Spokesperson, Cornelius Mupereri told the ZBC News that the other two party cadres, Erasmus Jaya and Violet Nhari, who had submitted their CVs, withdrew their candidatures, leaving Auxillia Mnangagwa as the sole candidate.

Mupereri said as the Midlands provincial leadership, they believe Auxillia Mnanagagwa has the capacity to carry over the work that has been done by her husband in that constuency.

The nomination court will sit on the 29th of january in Gweru.

For Mt Darwin West constituency vacated by Dr Mujuru, five Zanu-PF candidates are set to battle it out in primary elections slated for this Saturday and Sunday.

In an interview, the Zanu-PF Mashonaland Central Provincial Chairman, Dickson Mafios said those recommended are Keneddy Banda, Caleb Karima, Godfrey Tsenengamu, James Seremwe and Barnwell Seremwe.

Mafios said names of these recommended have been forwarded to the Zanu-PF National Political Commissariat for further scrutiny before primary elections.