In Norton, a rowdy mob of Zanu (PF) supporters was run over by a vehicle after violence erupted, torched by a contested primary election outcome.
There was also chaos at the national elections directorate in Harare as election results filtered through, revealing shocking outcomes that angered
losing ruling party heavyweights.
In Mashonaland east, three party heavyweights have been toppled.
In Mberengwa East, Agriculture minister Rugare Gumbo was defeated by journalist-cum-business Makhosini Hlongwane, who now runs tyre dealership, Tyreman.
In Bikita South, Claudius Makova suffered a humiliating defeat from musician and Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe official Elias Musakwa. Its unclear how Musakwa
won the right to represent Zanu (PF) at a time he is at the centre of a fraud probe involving 2trillion siphoned from the RBZ.
The plan by Zanu (PF) to reserve seats for female candidates also angered amny aspiring MPs who had pumped money into their election campaign only to be told at the last minute that they could not contest the seat. This was the case in Gutu, where former Hospital Doctors Association president Dr Paul Chimedza, nearly shed tears after a declaration that he could not challenge controversial Zanu (PF) strongwoman Shuvai Mahofa.
The ballot boxes used in the primary poll were ordinary cardboard boxes used to package jam. The ballot papers were pieces of unevenly cut newsprint while the voter verification process involved merely looking at the party card.
There was no equipment to prevent multiple voting. Senior Zanu (PF) officials were jostling at the Zanu (PF)’s Rotten Rown headquarters Tuesday, appealing to the national elections directorate against irregularities, which included issuance of extra party cards on the eve of voting and vote buying.
The primary vote was also marred by serious voter apathy.
Political commissar Elliot Manyika was not immediately available for comment.
Political analyst Lovemore Madhuku said it was amazing that Zanu (PF) could rig its won elections. “With such obvious confusion and so many irregularities in Zanu (PF)’s primary elections, it is tragic to know that this same party is entrusted with holding national elections in Zimbabwe in eight weeks time,” he said.
Post published in: News