SERIOUS divisions have rocked the ruling Zanu PF party in Bulawayo province 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 self-proclaimed Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu recalled the legislators and councillors.
Zanu PF sources told Southern Eye that divisions emerged in the provincial structures over the selection for the Lobengula-Magwegwe candidates during a constituency meeting held on Sunday.
Ruling party members allegedly accused politburo member Molly Mpofu and provincial secretary-general Raymond Mutomba of trying to impose Menziwa Dube, while sidelining Butholezwe Ndlovu who lost in the August 23 harmonised elections.
The sources said Ndlovu was being accused of arrogance, while Dube is alleged to be an unregistered voter in Bulawayo province, meaning that he could not stand as a candidate for Lobengula-Magwegwe.
“Despite the resolutions passed at the national people’s conference held in Gweru over the weekend, (which) said cell registers are supposed to be submitted to the district, the district co-ordinating committee then submits to provincial level, Bulawayo province has ignored that call and wishes to go ahead with the primaries despite the call,” one source said.
However, Mpofu rubbished the allegations saying she was only interested in the party, not individuals.
“The only candidate that I have backed through my own mouth is President Emmerson Mnangagwa not anyone else. I am not a cheap woman, I do not impose candidates. Those two (Dube and Ndlovu) are not my children,” she said.
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“I was not there when they submitted their CVs, so why should I be seen backing anyone when the selection process has not been completed?”
Mutomba also denied the allegations saying the vetting exercise was ongoing, adding that successful candidates would go for the primary elections this week.
The party’s provincial spokesperson Archibold Chiponda said they were still receiving CVs late on Monday.
“We are still receiving CVs from anyone interested to stand for the party. It is impossible for anyone to lobby for anyone now when a selection process has not been completed,” he said.
“Remember, this is the time when people begin to tarnish each other’s images.”
