News / National
'Whiteman' Makumbe to contest Buhera West House of Assembly seat
11 Sep 2011 at 07:28hrs | Views
UNIVERSITY of Zimbabwe lecturer Dr John Makumbe has set the stage for a bruising showdown with Constitutional and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Eric Matinenga after he declared his interest in the latter's Buhera West House of Assembly seat.
Addressing MDC-T supporters at the party's 12th anniversary celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium yesterday, Dr Makumbe announced his intention to run for the seat in the next legislative elections, Sunday Mail reported.
Dr Makumbe, a Political Science lecturer, said he would throw away his academic hat to pursue a political career.
"I want to tell you all that I have now removed my academic hat and I am now openly supporting MDC," he said, amidst cheers from the crowd.
Dr Makumbe, who chanted MDC slogans during his speech and waved the open palm, said he would contest on an MDC ticket in Buhera West, possibly unsettling the incumbent, Minister Matinenga.
Dr Makumbe appeared to chide Mr Matinenga when he said there would be no need for primary elections in the constituency.
"There is no need for primary elections. The people in Buhera say they want a white man to represent them and I have made myself available," he said in apparent reference to his albinism.
Jonah Gokova, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition chairperson (CZCC), pledged his support for MDC-T in its regime change agenda.
National Constitutional Assembly chairman Dr Lovemore Madhuku said he would vote for the MDC despite his organisation's claim that it is apolitical.
"We might have our differences, but if elections are held any time from now, the NCA and I will vote for the MDC," he said.
The MDC also appeared to snub the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) formation led by Mr Lovemore Matombo as members of the faction led by Mr George Nkiwane attended the occasion.
Mr Chamisa introduced to the crowd members of the Nkiwane faction who included the union's secretary-general, Mr Japhet Moyo.
Mr Moyo said the ZCTU would not break its allegiance to the MDC.
"The MDC and the ZCTU are one and would like to express our unreserved support to the party," he said.
Addressing MDC-T supporters at the party's 12th anniversary celebrations at Gwanzura Stadium yesterday, Dr Makumbe announced his intention to run for the seat in the next legislative elections, Sunday Mail reported.
Dr Makumbe, a Political Science lecturer, said he would throw away his academic hat to pursue a political career.
"I want to tell you all that I have now removed my academic hat and I am now openly supporting MDC," he said, amidst cheers from the crowd.
Dr Makumbe, who chanted MDC slogans during his speech and waved the open palm, said he would contest on an MDC ticket in Buhera West, possibly unsettling the incumbent, Minister Matinenga.
Dr Makumbe appeared to chide Mr Matinenga when he said there would be no need for primary elections in the constituency.
"There is no need for primary elections. The people in Buhera say they want a white man to represent them and I have made myself available," he said in apparent reference to his albinism.
Jonah Gokova, the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition chairperson (CZCC), pledged his support for MDC-T in its regime change agenda.
National Constitutional Assembly chairman Dr Lovemore Madhuku said he would vote for the MDC despite his organisation's claim that it is apolitical.
"We might have our differences, but if elections are held any time from now, the NCA and I will vote for the MDC," he said.
The MDC also appeared to snub the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) formation led by Mr Lovemore Matombo as members of the faction led by Mr George Nkiwane attended the occasion.
Mr Chamisa introduced to the crowd members of the Nkiwane faction who included the union's secretary-general, Mr Japhet Moyo.
Mr Moyo said the ZCTU would not break its allegiance to the MDC.
"The MDC and the ZCTU are one and would like to express our unreserved support to the party," he said.
Source - Sunday Mail
