Plot to rig Zanu PF elections backfires

Politics
Close to 11 youths from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) were arrested for attempting to vote using fake registration slips

ZANU PF factionalism in Bulawayo turned nasty yesterday after close to 11 youths from the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) were arrested for attempting to vote using fake registration slips in elections for the provincial youth chairperson in what party provincial boss Calistus Ndlovu described as a rigging plot. NQOBILE BHEBHE CHIEF REPORTER

Mlungisi Moyo and another youth member only identified as Chiyangwa, were vying for the provincial seat in elections held at the party’s Davies Hall head office when youths aligned to Chiyangwa were arrested.

“I heard that some of our members were arrested during the internal election process,” Ndlovu said.

“I was attending another meeting in Makokoba when it happened.

“We are taking the issue of rigging seriously. “However, I cannot comment beyond this point as I am yet to receive a full report.”

Sources said the elections were called off after it was noticed that there were scores of youths from Nust.

Those arrested were found with fake registration slips and were taken to Bulawayo Central Police Station where party members were still negotiating for their release last night.

Zanu PF candidates were accused of using fake registration slips to rig the July 31 elections, especially in urban areas such as Harare.

MDC-T, which rejected the July 31 election results as fraudulent, said unregistered Zanu PF supporters used the slips to vote in constituencies where President Robert Mugabe’s party was desperate to unseat MPs from the opposition.