Scramble for Mudenge’s seat

Politics
MASVINGO — The death of Higher Education minister Stan Mudenge has seemingly opened the floodgates for many aspiring Zanu PF MPs,

MASVINGO — The death of Higher Education minister Stan Mudenge has seemingly opened the floodgates for many aspiring Zanu PF MPs, as seven contestants have thrown their hats in the ring, contrary to what happened when he was alive.

Report by Tatenda Chitagu

Although in other constituencies there are more than seven contestants, it is in Masvingo North where the high number has raised interest, as it never happened when Mudenge was still alive. Mudenge was hardly challenged and he used his political clout to ward off would-be contestants.

During Zanu PF’s primary elections ahead of the 2008 polls, Jacob Chademana, a former Victoria High School head beat Mudenge, but was told to “pave way for the seniors” and promised a senatorial seat that never came. Smarting from previous disappointment, Chademana is still in the race, although he will battle it out with six others.

The contestants are Simbarashe Manjoro, Thomas Ziki, Colonel David Moyo, Onismo Mukumba, Davis Marapira and Mainos Mudukuti, son to the late MP for the area, George Mudukuti.

Sources in Zanu PF said many people made public their bid to stand in the constituency now because they knew during Mudenge’s era it was a waste of time and resources.

“It was difficult to contest Mudenge because he would use his political muscle to stop you, even if you won,” the source said.

“Look at what happened to Chademana who won last time. A lot of aspirants are now contesting because they know that the field is now even, contrary to what was the case before.”

Apart from Masvingo North, many in Mwenezi West, it seems, want to be MPs as 10 contestants also threw their hats into the ring. In Masvingo West, eight candidates will battle it out on the party primaries. Zanu PF Masvingo provincial chair Lovemore Matuke said the high number of aspirants in the province shows that Zanu PF is a democratic party that allows those who want to stand, as long as they meet the criteria to do so.