“The Makoni clan is saying Mutasa is their son and there is no need to throw him away,” said impeccable sources. Mutasa also has sympathy from the district’s women and youth leagues who have been holding secret meetings to discuss ways to support him.
“There are meetings that are being held secretly. At the moment Mutasa is holding meetings with the members of the youth and women’s league in the district who have the largest numbers of voters,” said the source. “The Makoni chieftainship is also backing him and this might influence the by-election result. It’s a sign not to count him out.”
Legal challenge
Mutasa, who has been President Robert Mugabe’s close aide for decades, was relieved of his party and government posts after he described the Zanu (PF) elective congress held in December as unconstitutional and filed a legal challenge at the High Court seeking nullification of its resolutions.
He is determined to defend his parliamentary seat. “I have already said that I will contest the by-election under the real Zanu (PF). I don’t know which other Zanu (PF) they are talking about. I am still a bona fide party member and l would contest any by-election in my constituency under the party’s banner. I have the people and I do not want to let them down,” said Mutasa.
He also accused Zanu (PF) of using the state machinery to thwart his campaign and threatening people that they should not vote for him.
No fair play
“Already there is no fair play. The army and CIO are a patrolling the area intimidating my people. Those illegal party candidates should campaign for themselves without misusing State institutions like the army, police, the Central Intelligence Organisation and other civil servants,” he said.
Mutasa mentioned Innocent Chiganze, a top Air Force official, as leading the team that is intimidating his supporters.
A number of Zanu (PF) party members from Makoni District have expressed willingness to wrestle in the primary elections to be held in May. Former Manicaland governor Tinaye Chigudu is one of 15 Zanu (PF) members who have expressed interest in contesting the Headlands constituency that was declared vacant after the party recalled Mutasa.
Besides Chigudu, other notable candidates who have declared their interest are outspoken war veteran Nathaniel Mhiripiri and provincial youth league chairperson Dakarayi Mapuranga – who has been at the forefront of organizing celebratory parties over the ouster of Mutasa.
15 candidates
Other war veterans Nation Madongorere and Christopher Chingosho have also shown interest in the seat, as well as Makoni Rural District councillors Taurai Chiripamberi and Mathias Dakura.
Zanu (PF) acting chairman Samuel Undenge confirmed to The Zimbabwean that the party had 15 candidates to contest the Headlands constituency.
He said the response had been overwhelming. “This is a record response. As a party in Manicaland we have never had such a response and this shows that Zanu (PF) is the party to join.
I want to urge the candidates not to campaign yet. The party will tell them to begin their campaigns after we complete our verification processes.”
Post published in: News