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Nduduzo Tshuma/Munyaradzi Musiiwa/ Walter Mswazi Chronicle Reporters
MORE Zanu-PF heavyweights continued to fall in the Central Committee elections with Cdes Dzikamai Mavhaire, Naison Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu, Flora Buka, Simbarashe Mumbengegwi, Francis Nhema and Walter Mzembi suffering defeats in polls held yesterday.Another politburo member, Cde Samuel Mugande, also fell by the wayside joining fellow party bigwigs Cdes Didymus Mutasa, Angeline Masuku, Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu, Cde Absolom Sikhosana and Cde Munacho Mutezo who lost in the Central Committee elections on Monday.

In Masvingo, Cde Mavhaire was beaten by Masvingo Urban legislator Dr Daniel Shumba by 161 to 49 votes during district elections held at the Caravan. Cde Kudakwashe Bhasikiti was voted into the Central Committee in Mwenezi while another heavyweight Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Engineer Mzembi was beaten by Cde Xavier Magweva.

Former Masvingo Rural District Council chief executive officer Cde Clemence Makwarimba and businessman Cde Edmund Mhere won uncontested. In Gutu, former Zanu-PF provincial chairman Cde Lovemore Matuke, Cde Berita Chikwama and Cde Noel Mandebvu all won unopposed.

In Chiredzi, former governor Cde Titus Maluleke won unopposed while Cdes Abraham Sithole, Jimmy Simon Mahiya and Petros Chivhinga were voted into the Central Committee.

In Bikita, Cde Tobias Jaboon won unopposed while Cde Kenneth Mutamba beat Retired Col Patrice Makova by 68 votes to 42. Cde Jerifanos Matorofa defeated Brigadier General Gibson Mashingaidze by 69 votes to 42.

In Zaka, Cde Lovemore Mutandwa made it into the Central Committee while Cde Vincent Mawere polled 104 votes against Lieutenant Colonel Livingstone Cheneka’s 42 votes.

Cde Nyasha Gavaza beat former Masvingo Governor Cde Willard Chiwewe by 93 votes to 16 votes.

In Chivi, Cde Paul Mangwana won uncontested while Cde Josiah Hungwe beat Cde Samuel Mumbengengwi by 146 to 21 votes. Cde Faith Makaza was also voted into the Central Committee.

In Mwenezi, Cde Bhasikiti, Cde Tafadzwa Shumba and Lanson Matavire will represent the district in the Central Committee.

Matabeleland South Provincial Congress Coordinating Committee, Cde Abigail Damasane, declined to give results from the province insisting they could only be announced by national party chairperson Cde Simon Khaya Moyo.

However, Cde Khutshwekhaya Ndlovu confirmed his defeat yesterday.

He then handed his mobile phone to Zimbabwe Liberation War Collaborators Insiza district secretary for administration, Cde Dennis Dube, who said they would have a meeting today to expose irregularities during the election.

“We aren’t happy with the way the election was conducted,” said Dube.

Ousted provincial chairperson Cde Andrew Langa, who before his sacking was eyeing a Central Committee post did not contest.

In Matabeleland North, only one politburo member, Cde Samuel Mugande from Binga, contested in the Central Committee elections after his district did not agree that his position should not be contested.

Yesterday, provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo confirmed that Cde Mugande lost to Cde John Mzamba.

Other party bigwigs like Dr Obert Mpofu, Professor Jonathan Moyo, Cde Cain Mathema, Cde Jacob Mudenda, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni and Cde Thokozile Mathuthu were unopposed.

Other Central Committee members retained unopposed include Cdes Sikhanyisiwe Mpofu, Lot Mbambo and Fati Mpofu.

Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial secretary for administration and Bubi legislator Cde Clifford Sibanda was also elected unopposed.

In the Midlands Province, Cde Buka, who was competing for the first position of the Central Committee in Gokwe North, polled 74 votes against the victor Cde Leonard Chikomba who garnered 169 votes.

In Gokwe North, Cde Chikomba was elected together with Cdes Edson Chiherenge and Cephas Sindi who were both uncontested after Cdes Timire Kapota, Tariro Mutingwende and Tafuma Pangira withdrew from the race in the last hour.

In Shurugwi, Cdes Nhema and Mumbengegwi suffered the same fate after they were defeated by Cdes Emmanuel Fundira and Thomas Gandire for the first and second positions respectively.

Cde Nhema got 61 votes against Cde Fundira’s 105 while Cde Mumbengegwi polled 50 votes against Cde Gandira’s 81.

Zanu-PF Midlands spokesperson Cde Cornelius Mpereri confirmed the results.

He said yesterday’s winners would join Cdes Emmerson Mnangagwa, Mackenzie Ncube, Douglas Tapfuma from Kwekwe who were all uncontested; Cdes Melody Dziva, Wellington Magura, Rain Mathulisa from Gweru, Dr Jorum Gumbo, Cdes July Moyo, Ben Mataga, Godwill Shiri from Mberengwa, Cde Lawrence Mavhima, Dr Gregory Mataka from Zvishavane, Cdes Saviors Piki, Max Zvidzai from Chirumhanzu, Cdes Victor Matemadanda, Tambai Masuka and Dorcas Maposhere from Gokwe South who were elected last week.

Meanwhile, our Harare Bureau reports that Central Committee elections in Harare province were marred by violence with Central Committee member Cde Tendai Savanhu facing allegations of instigating the disturbances.

According to ZBCtv news last night, the violence resulted in elections in Waterfalls being aborted.

Zanu-PF politburo member Cde Cleveria Chizema confirmed the disturbances to ZBC.

Some Zanu-PF heavyweights failed to retain their Central Committee seats in Harare Province.

The party bigwigs that fell in the province were Cdes Joseph Macheka and Stalin Mau Mau while suspended ZBC acting CEO Allan Chiweshe also bit the dust.

Cdes Lloyd Bhunu, Endy Mhlanga, Patrick Nyaruwata, Cleveria Chizema, Jackson Maombera, Retired Brigadier General Boniface Hurungudo, Oliver Mandishona, Sabina Thembani, Evermary Marwa, and Justice Zvandasara secured central committee posts.

In Mashonaland East, Zanu-PF bigwigs who include former provincial chairperson Cde Ray Kaukonde failed to make it to the Central Committee after they did not submit their CVs for nominations following a vote of no confidence passed on them.

Others are secretary for finance Cde Simbaneuta Mudarikwa, political commissar Cde Tendai Makunde and his deputy Cde George Katsande, deputy secretary for security Cde Washington Musvaire, deputy secretary for finance Cde Felix Mhona, secretary for education Cde Taurai Pasirai, secretary for administration Cde Peter Murwira and Cde Boniface Mutize.

They were recently ousted through a vote of no confidence for fanning factionalism.

The province yesterday held its interprovincial meeting in Marondera where the co-ordinating committee announced members who were nominated into the Central Committee.

The meeting was chaired by Cde Sydney Sekeramayi and Cde Kaukonde, Cde Mudarikwa and the other seven senior officials did not attend.

Those who were nominated for the inter district conference held on Monday in the province were Cdes Sekeramayi, Marbel Chinomona, Jerry Gotora, David Parirenyatwa, Paddy Zhanda, Joel Biggy Matiza, Dr Olivia Muchena, Rosemary Goto, Dorothey Chigweremba, Marbel Katazo and Tabeth Murwira, among others.

Cde Sydney Sekeramayi said the inter district conference to nominate the members went on well in all the 10 districts in the province.

“A few days ago, we received a circular from the commissariat being informed about the nominations of the Central Committee members and it was informing us that those who were to be nominated were to be chosen by the people.

“However, the inter district conference was held in Mashonaland East yesterday and was done well with members being nominated. They might be some squabbles here and there but this is not the time to look into such issues as it will be done by the commissariat,” he said this while addressing supporters at party’s headquarters.

The meeting was attended by Cde Muchena, Cde Matiza, Cde Parirenyatwa, Cde Herbert Murerwa and Cde Petronella Kagonye, among other senior party members.