The ruling Zanu-PF party in Bulawayo province is facing serious divisions over the selection of candidates for the Lobengula-Magwegwe constituency ahead of the December 9 by-elections.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently proclaimed by-elections in nine constituencies that fell vacant after the recall of legislators and councillors by the self-proclaimed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu.
Sources within Zanu-PF revealed that during a recent constituency meeting, divisions emerged as members accused politburo member Molly Mpofu and provincial secretary-general Raymond Mutomba of trying to impose Menziwa Dube while sidelining Butholezwe Ndlovu, who had lost in the August 23 harmonized elections.
Allegations of arrogance were made against Ndlovu, while Dube was said to be an unregistered voter in Bulawayo province, making him ineligible as a candidate for Lobengula-Magwegwe.
There were also concerns that Bulawayo province appeared to ignore the resolutions passed at the national people’s conference, which called for the submission of cell registers to the district level and then to the provincial level. Despite this, Bulawayo province intended to proceed with the primaries.
Molly Mpofu dismissed these allegations, stating that she was only interested in the party as a whole, not individual candidates. She emphasized that she did not impose candidates and had not been involved in the selection process.
Raymond Mutomba denied the accusations and clarified that the vetting exercise was ongoing. Successful candidates would participate in the primary elections, which were scheduled to take place that week.
The party’s provincial spokesperson, Archibold Chiponda, confirmed that they were still accepting CVs from anyone interested in standing for the party.
He emphasized that it was impossible for anyone to lobby for candidates at this stage when the selection process had not been completed. Chiponda also acknowledged that such situations often led to individuals tarnishing each other’s images.
Source Bulawayo24
