Zanu PF primary elections came to a chaotic end yesterday with allegations of rigging, violence, sabotage and vote-buying.
Staff Reporters
There were upsets in Bulawayo where in Pelandaba constituency politburo member Sikhanyiso Ndlovu lost to Joseph Tshuma, while party provincial vice-chairperson Killian Sibanda lost the right to represent Nkulumane to central committee member David Ndlovu by two votes.
In Pumula, central committee member Godfrey Malaba overcame Kenias Sibanda while Mlungisi Moyo beat Gatsha Mazithulela to represent the Bulawayo Central seat.
In Matabeleland North, Zanu PF politburo member Sithembiso Nyoni beat Maploti Donga in the Nkayi North constituency while former Bulawayo provincial deputy commissar Stars Mathe overcame her competition to represent Nkayi South.
In Bubi, incumbent MP Clifford Sibanda won while provincial chairman Richard Moyo beat incumbent Bubi-Umguza senator Lot Mbambo.
In Tsholotsho South, Zenzo Sibanda beat the son of late vice-President John Nkomo, Jabulani, while Sithembile Gumbo won the bid to represent Lupane East.
In Matabeleland South, there were allegations of rigging with some voters being turned away as they did not appear on the party’s voters’ roll.
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There were also reports of violence between party supporters as factions belonging to Edson Gumbo and Cecelia Dubiwa allegedly clashed at Mabheka Primary School in West Nicholson.
However, in the middle of the chaotic internal polls, results continued to trickle in by late yesterday with a few surprises.
Afternoon lessons were disrupted at Gwanda High School as Zanu PF supporters besieged the school forcing authorities to send pupils home.
In Gwanda South veteran politician and politburo member Abedinigo Ncube regained the seat he lost to Orders Mlilo in the 2008 polls. Incumbents Andrew Langa (Insiza North), Kembo Mohadi and Metrine Mudau, both of Beitbridge, also retained their seats while Wiliam Dewa will contest in Umzingwane constituency.
Meanwhile, dramatic attempts at rigging and flashes of violence rocked the Midlands Province. Zanu PF Midlands provincial chairman Jaison Machaya’s son Raffy, Freedom Moyo and Tichaona Chacha grabbed ballot boxes at Chana Primary School in Mbizo and attempted to flee with them through the window.
The three Zanu PF youths were unlucky when other youths at the polling station mobbed them and meted instant justice.
Chitepo B youth branch chairman Nago Tadzoka confirmed the incident which happened late Tuesday as polls were about to close. In one of the constituencies, a minister’s wife reportedly assaulted a winning candidate after the two exchanged words over allegations that she was using her influence to rig elections in favour of her preferred candidate.
Voting was temporarily suspended in Mbizo 7 after violent clashes erupted over allegations of vote-rigging using a shambolic voters’ roll.
Afterwards, everyone with a national identification card was then allowed to vote.
Ballot papers did not have the photo or name of the candidate. Instead, voters were asked to write the name of their preferred candidate. In Midlands a number of senior party officials fell by the wayside. Although official figures had not yet been released, results trickling in indicated that party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo lost to July Moyo for the Mberengwa senatorial seat.
Provincial deputy chairman and Zvishavane-Runde MP Larry Mavhima lost to former Hwange Colliery managing director Fred Gandiwa Moyo.
Chirumanzu MP Phares Maramba lost to Innocent Pedzisai Munanzvi. Disgruntled Zanu PF members, however, called the Southern Eye complaining about the result arguing Munanzvi should not have contested as he has a criminal record and also claimed he had rigged through vote-buying.
Shurugwi North MP Francis Nhema managed to retain his constituency after beating Robson Nyathi.
Provincial chairman Lovemore Matuke released the results after a meeting with the provincial Joint Operations Command at Masvingo Central Police Station, where sources said the meeting was very tense and deliberated on some issues, leaving some results witheld. Matuke, a former legislator was victorious while in Gutu East, Bherita Chikwama won the right to represent the party.
In Gutu South, Zimpapers board chairman Paul Chimedza won while in Chivi-Central, Munyaradzi Paul Mangwana was outpolled by trade unionist and Masvingo City Council employee Ephraim Gwanongodza.
Chivi South incumbent Irvene Dzingirayi was outsmarted by one Utete while Bikita, provincial women’s league chair Shylet Uyoyo was beaten by Jeppy Jaboon. Uyoyo is, however, also contesting the result.
Results were withheld in Bikita West, where Elias Musakwa was squaring off with Munyaradzi Kereke, who was initially stopped from contesting by the party.
In Masvingo urban, former provincial chairman Daniel Shumba beat Jusby Ommar, who, however, is appealing the result. In Masvingo North, Davis Marapira won the right to replace the late Stan Mudenge after beating former Victoria High head Jacob Chademana and six others.
Results from Zaka, Chiredzi and Mwenezi had not been collated at the time of going to print, though it was confirmed that in Mwenezi, incumbent Kudakwashe Bhasikiti had won against Reverend Chigohi.
The Mujuru camp, however, had a few candidates, particularly in the Masvingo senatorial seat, where politburo member Dzikamai Mavhaire won after beating incumbent Maina Mandava and Clemence Makwarimba.
