THE NATIONAL Constitutional Assembly (NCA) is planning to contest the Bikita West constituency seat which fell vacant following the expulsion of Zanu PF candidate Munyaradzi Kereke recently.
WONAI MASVINGISE
SENIOR REPORTER
NCA spokesperson Blessing Vava told our sister paper NewsDay yesterday that his party had plans to contest for the seat.
“As a party, we are more than ready and confident of taking this seat,” he said.
“Already there is work going on in this constituency and many other parts of the country where the NCA is on a massive membership recruitment drive and building branch and ward structures.”
Vava said his party leaders would meet later this month to decide whether or not to take part in the by-election as well as choose the candidate to represent the party.
“We had made a resolution as the interim national taskforce that we will only participate in any national election after the launch of the party at our inaugural congress slated for March next year,” he said.
“But, there has been a growing interest from our membership, some who are keen in contesting in that election.
“Be that as it may, we have a taskforce meeting on the 27th of this month where the Bikita West issue will be on the agenda.”
Sources said NCA national taskforce member Madock Chivasa was the likely candidate for the seat.
Chivasa said he was willing to contest on NCA ticket.
“We are likely to contest for the seat, but the final decision will be made on the 27th when the taskforce meets,” he said.
“This is where it will be decided who will stand in that election.
“I am a registered voter in that area and I am more than ready to represent NCA if my party decides to field me in that constituency.”
National Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda last week declared the seat vacant after Zanu PF notified Parliament on the expulsion of Kereke.
Kereke was expelled for defying the party directive to make way for the preferred candidate Elias Musakwa.