MASVINGO — Four sitting MDC-T legislators may soon find themselves in the political dustbin after they were beaten in party primaries held on Sunday, while all sitting party councillors in Masvingo town were also ousted by new entrants.
Report by Tatenda Chitagu
Provincial party spokesperson Harrison Mudzuri, who initially failed the confirmation test, was beaten by James Mushonga, while Gutu Central legislator, Oliver Chirume, the provincial youth chair, was defeated by James Mushonga.
Mudzuri polled 163 votes against Mushonga’s 182. Chiredzi West incumbent legislator Moses Mare got a shocker after he was beaten by little known Dusty Zivave, while Zaka Central incumbent, Ernest Mudavanhu, believed to have coined the party’s “Chinja Maitiro/Guqula Izenzo” slogan, failed to get confirmed. His confirmation was postponed as he was ill when the party held the exercise in all other constituencies in the provinces.
Simon Mupindu, a Harare-based lawyer, is eyeing his seat.
Only Bikita East incumbent Edmore Marima survived as he was confirmed after the confirmation process was also halted due to his ill health.
In Gutu North, where incumbent Edmore Maramwidze Hamandishe stepped down, Tichivangani Mavetera will stand on the party ticket after beating the constituency chair, Henrica Takaona, mother to former Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president Mathew Takaona.
The MDC-T dominated Masvingo City Council will have a complete change of guard after all the councillors were defeated in the primaries held on the same day.
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Deputy mayor Selina Maridza will kiss goodbye council privileges after she was beaten by another female candidate Esther Masarira. Ward 2 councillor Johannes Gono was beaten by Musakaya Gerald, while in Ward 3, the polls could not go ahead due to disputes.
The ward fell vacant after then councillor Edgar Tagutanazvo died during his tenure.
Ward 4 went to Godfrey Kurauone.
In Ward 5, Masvingo mayor Alderman Femius Chakabuda did not contest, leaving Daniel Mberikwashe carrying the day after he beat his competition.
