ZEC rejects Mutasa, Mliswa through

via ZEC rejects Mutasa, Mliswa through – New Zimbabwe 08/04/2015

THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) on Wednesday rejected former presidential affairs minister Didymus Mutasa’s bid to file nomination papers for the Headlands constituency under the ruling party’s banner.

Mutasa had, through agent Sabina Ranganai Chitema, filed his nomination papers around mid-day in Mutare as a Zanu PF candidate but provincial elections officer Moffat Musabeya rejected the papers because they had not been signed by the relevant party official.

According to Mutasa’s nephew Temba Mliswa, who is also battling to re-capture his Hurungwe seat, Mutasa will now seek legal recourse.

“They have rejected his papers,” said Mliswa whose Hurungwe West constituency was declared vacant following his expulsion from the national assembly and the party last month

Mliswa added: “He (Mutasa) wanted to contest on a Zanu PF ticket because he is convinced he is still a bonafide member of the party.

“The ZEC officials obviously conspiring with rogue members of the party argued that the nomination papers had not been signed by the right authority in the form of Chombo (Ignatius).

“We will resort to the courts for recourse; there is a pending case already.”

Christopher Chingosho is the Zanu PF candidate for the Headlands election to be held on June 10. He will now battle it out with the NCA’s David Mukunda and independent candidate Albert Mukaratirwa.

Chombo was appointed Zanu PF secretary for administration at the conclusion of the party’s congress in December which Mutasa and other axed leaders are now contesting arguing it was flawed.

Meanwhile, Mliswa’s papers which were filed as an independent were however accepted at the Chinhoyi magistrate’s court and he will now face-off with Zanu PF candidate Keith Guzah in Hurungwe West.

Mutasa’s failure seemed to have pleased Information Minister Jonathan Moyo as the government spin-doctor rushed to Twitter.

“Mutasa disqualified from Headlands by-election after filing nomination papers as a Zanu PF candidate, (the) by-election to pit three other candidates.

“Nephew Themba Mliswa was wiser than his Uncle Didymus Mutasa as he successfully filed as an Independent against Keith Guzah in Hurungwe West,” said Moyo.

Mutasa and Mliswa were expelled from Zanu PF last month, joining former party spokesperson Rugare Gumbo and former War Veterans chairperson Jabulani Sibanda who were axed in the run-up to the acrimonious congress.

They have since been joined on the sidelines by former vice president Joice Mujuru who is reportedly the ring-leader of a group of top officials accused of having plotted to assassinate President Robert Mugabe with the help of unnamed Western powers.

Mutasa insists that he is still the legitimate Zanu PF secretary for administration. He has also questioned President Mugabe’s appointment of vice presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko.

The Mujuru group, fronted by Mutasa, has indicated that they are ready to form a rival political party, effectively declaring the biggest split in Zanu PF since independence.