DESPITE consecutive electoral losses, Zanu PF has recycled the same candidates who lost in previous polls, in the hope that they can reverse the tide. Zanu PF has not won in Bulawayo and has performed badly in Matabeleland in past elections since the formation of the MDC in 1999.
REPORT BY NDUDUZO TSHUMA/ ALBERT NCUBE
Some of the perennial losers that have expressed an interest in taking part in the next election are Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Absolom Sikhosana and Joseph Tshuma. Others that did not take part in the 2008 polls, but have lost in previous elections include Bulawayo governor Cain Mathema, Bulawayo provincial chairman Callistus Ndlovu, party national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo and Matabeleland North governor Thokozile Mathuthu.
While Sikhosana is unopposed, Mathema, Mathuthu and the two Ndlovus will have to contest in the primary elections where party insiders say some senior members might face the embarrassment of defeat.
Ndlovu, who is also party provincial political head, said Zanu PF had a number of strategies in place to win back lost votes.
“This is a do or die election. We should take leadership and continue developing our country,” Ndlovu told Southern Eye yesterday. “Bulawayo industry remains dead because the responsible ministry belongs to the opposition.
“All the people have seen the truth. Some have come and apologised to me saying development died in Mpopoma after my departure.”
Ndlovu said the coming elections were not an experiment but the party was serious with winning elections.
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“The people can chose who they want, but if they want development, they know that the party that carries their aspirations is Zanu PF,” he said.
However, some of those who lost in the 2008 election like Eunice Sandi Moyo and Molly Mpofu will not be contesting this year after they were seconded to the Senate on a proportional representation scale.
In Matabeleland South, politburo member and former Member of Parliament, Abedinico Ncube, as well as two former Zanu PF provincial chairpersons Rido Mpofu and Llyod Siyoka, will seek a return to mainstream politics after they submitted applications for primary elections over the weekend.
Ncube will battle it out with Orders Mlilo, who won the 2008 parliamentary elections in Gwanda South, while Rido Mpofu will face stiff competition from prominent businessman Madodana Sibanda and Jeffry Moyo.
Siyoka, who was suspended from Zanu PF for attending the infamous Tsholotsho Declaration meeting, will contest the party’s primary elections in Beitbridge West against Aaron Maboyi and the sitting parliamentarian Metrine Mudau.
Both Siyoka and Mpofu were recently appointed advisers to chairperson Andrew Langa, as the party sought to heal factional rifts ahead of elections. Senior party officials will also be challenged after only Obedingwa Mguni ran unopposed in Mangwe.
Home affairs minister and Beitbridge East legislator Kembo is being challenged by the district war veterans’ chairman Philemon Mbedzi, Johane Ndou and an R Tshili.
Zanu PF Matabeleland South chairperson, Langa is being challenged by his longtime ally, Patrick Hove and Gibson Siziba.
Six candidates are set to contest in Insiza North, while nine will battle for the Umzingwane constituency.
Meanwhile, a number of the party’s youth including the chairperson of the Bulawayo provincial interim committee, Mabutho Moyo, have submitted their applications to contest for council seats.
The applications will be taken from the provinces today to Harare where all the names of the contestants will be announced after a politburo meeting tomorrow.
Zanu PF is set to hold its primary elections next Monday.
