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Cde Khaya Moyo

Temba Dube and Pamela Shumba Chronicle Reporters
ZANU-PF provinces yesterday received applications for primary elections with some senior party officials running unopposed while others are facing stiff competition. According to results that were still trickling in last night, National Chairman Cde Simon Khaya Moyo was unopposed for the Senate in Bulilima-Mangwe, Minister of Mines and Mining Development Dr Obert Mpofu was also not opposed in Umguza and so was Professor Jonathan Moyo in Tsholotsho North.

In an interview, Zanu-PF provincial secretary for administration in Matabeleland North, Cde Clifford Sibanda said Matabeleland North Governor Cde Thokozile Mathuthu was being challenged by Cde Grace Dube for the Hwange Senatorial seat.

“Bulawayo Governor and Resident Minister Ambassador Cain Mathema will fight it out with Cde Zenzo Sibanda and Cde Jabulani Nkomo, the son of the late Vice-President Cde Landa John Nkomo in Tsholotsho South.

“Cde Maplot Donga will be challenging Cde Sithembiso Nyoni in Nkayi North. Senator Lot Mbambo will face provincial chairperson Cde Richard Moyo for the Bubi- Umguza Senatorial seat,” said Cde Sibanda.

Cde Sibanda himself said he would battle it out with the provincial war veterans’ chairperson, Cde Sonny Mguni and Bubi Rural District council chairperson Cde Sipho Mathambo for the Bubi National Assembly seat.

Cde Sibanda said other applications were still being vetted.
He said Binga candidates were still to hand in their applications.

Zanu-PF chairman for Matabeleland South, Cde Andrew Langa said Cde Obedingwa Mguni was unopposed for the National Assembly in Mangwe.
In Beitbridge East, the Minister of Home Affairs, Cde  Kembo Mohadi is being challenged by the district war veteran chairman Cde Philemon Mbedzi, Cdes Johane Ndou and Cde R Tshili.

Cde Langa said out of the 167 local authority wards, 96 candidates went through the process unopposed.
Cde Langa himself is being challenged by Cdes Gibson Siziba and Patrick Hove in Insiza North.

“Nine candidates will battle it out in Umzingwane, six in Insiza South and we have two each in Bulilima East and West, Matobo North and South,” said Cde Langa.

He said the application vetting process went on smoothly.
“The high number of unopposed applications in council shows the party’s maturity, organisation and unity of purpose,” said Cde Langa.

In Bulawayo Dr Sikhanyiso Ndlovu will contest with Cde Joe Tshuma in Mpopoma/Pelandaba constituency while in Pumula constituency Cde Godfrey Malaba will contest with Cde Kenias Sibanda.

Cde Killian Sibanda and Alderman David Ndlovu will contest in Nkulumane constituency while Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube will contest with Cde Peter Baka Nyoni in Makokoba constituency.

A total of six women in the party were also selected for the proportional representation quota.
The women include Cdes Eunice Sandi, Molly Mpofu,  Mavis Mutodi, Esinath Moyo, Fidelia Maphosa and Sihle Thebe.
The party is yet to release the names of the aspiring senators.

On Friday, Zanu-PF publicised its rules and regulations governing the conduct of primary elections with emphasis on knowledgeable candidates of good repute.

The rules and regulations provide a quota for six female candidates per province in the parliamentary elections.
The Politburo will meet tomorrow to consider the NED submissions and thereafter, the national chairman, Cde Khaya Moyo will announce the list signalling the start of campaigns by candidates.

The Commissariat department headed by Cde Webster Shamu will train polling officers between 20 and 21 June and also produce and distribute the ballots and other election material to be used during primaries.

The primary elections will be held on 24 June and all members of the party from cell to the Politburo are eligible to vote. The party will use polling stations that are usually used during general elections.