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Harare Bureau
THE new Constitution outlaws floor crossing making claims by some independent candidates that they will rejoin their respective political parties after winning constituencies null and void. Some disgruntled Zanu-PF members who were either disqualified or lost in primary elections are standing as independent candidates in harmonised elections set for July 31.

Cdes Marrian Chombo and Jonathan Samukange are standing as independent candidates in Zvimba North and Mudzi South, respectively, while Dr Munyaradzi Kereke insists he is the official Zanu-PF candidate for Bikita West although the party has endorsed Cde Elias Musakwa’s candidature.

Section 129 (1) (l) of the new Constitution reads: “The seat of a Member of Parliament becomes vacant if the member not having been a member of a political party when he or she was elected to Parliament becomes a member of a political party.”

When one stands as an independent candidate and wins and decides to rejoin his or her political party, the seat is considered vacant and a by-election must be held.

Yesterday Cdes Chombo and Samukange said they were aware of the provision of the new Constitution but were not deterred by it.

Cde Chombo insisted she was a devoted Zanu-PF cadre standing as independent candidate and is confident of winning Zvimba North.

“I am aware of what the new Constitution says. I will win in Zvimba North and go back to Zanu-PF. If a by-election is held I will win it for the party. I qualified to stand as a Zanu-PF candidate and was allowed stand only for some people to remove my name. I am Zanu-PF and will fight hard that the seat goes to Zanu-PF,” she alleged.

Cde Chombo is squaring up with her former husband Cde Ignatius Chombo and an MDC candidate in Zvimba North in the House of Assembly.