GWERU — Zanu PF Midlands provincial chairperson, Jason Machaya has retained his post after narrowly beating his deputy Larry Mavhima in an election marred by allegations of rigging.
Stephen Chadenga OWN CORRESPONDENT
Machaya, also the Provincial Affairs minister, beat Mavhima by 13 803 to 13 208 votes. The results, which were supposed to be announced on Thursday, only became public Friday night following re-runs of the polls in some constituencies.
Ellina Shirichena retained the provincial chairperson’s post for the women’s league unopposed while the youth chair’s post was landed by former Zimbabwe Congress of Students Union president and Zimbabwe Youth Council board member, Tanaka Manyadza, after the disqualification of Edmore Samambwa, whose age was said to be past of that of a youth.
Despite Mavhima handing over a petition to the provincial elections co-ordinator, Olivia Muchena, contesting that outcome of the poll, she described the elections as successful and without incident.
“I would like to congratulate the candidates for their high level of maturity. These elections were peaceful and successful,” Muchena said.
Both Machaya and Mavhima were unavailable for comment yesterday’ but sources said the elections were marred by irregularities including vote-buying and rigging.
The sources said the outcome of the elections were doctored in favour of Machaya, believed to be Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s ally to block Mavhima, said to be in Justice minister Emmerson Mnangagwa’s camp.
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Both Mujuru and Mnangagwa have denied leading any factions in the party.
