Mugabe faces defiance as officials haggle over seats

Mugabe faces defiance as officials haggle over seats

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By Staff Reporter

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe faced open defiance on Friday last week when party members defeated in primary elections, including one of his ministers, successfully registered to stand as Zanu PF candidates in parliamentary and senatorial polls set for March 29.

President Mugabe last week presided over a Zanu PF politburo meeting that approved Zanu PF candidates for the joint elections for the senate and parliament to run concurrently with elections for president.

But Finance Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi, having lost in primary elections to former Masvingo governor Josiah Hungwe, still went ahead and filed papers as a Zanu PF candidate in Chivi/Mwenezi.

Dzikamai Mavhaire also defied the party by filing papers as a Zanu PF senate candidate for Masvingo despite losing to Maina Mandava in a party primary.

In Masvingo Central, Eddison Zvobgo (Junior) registered to contest against the official Zanu PF candidate, Edmund Mhere.

Nation Madongorere filed his papers to contest against official party candidate Joseph Made in the Makoni West House of Assembly race.

Zifa chief executive Henrietta Rushwaya was also sucked into the Zanu PF chaos after filing her papers as a Zanu PF candidate in Gutu South where Shuvai Mahofa is seeking re-election.

Didymus Mutasa, the party’s secretary for administration suggested a re-run of primary elections could be ordered, and losing candidates forced to stand down.

But that could create fresh problems as primary elections winners would unlikely accept a rerun.

Mutasa said: “… one available option we have in some constituencies is to order a rerun in deserving cases under properly supervised conditions and ask the losing candidate to withdraw.

"Indiscipline can even be seen among senior party members and that cannot be accepted.”

President Mugabe faced an open rebellion two weeks ago when Simba Makoni, a former finance minister and member of the Zanu PF politburo declared he would challenge the 84-year-old leader.

Makoni has claimed he has the backing of senior Zanu PF officials, which if true could represent the biggest internal revolt against Mugabe since he came to power in 1980.
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