Zanu PF to decide on by-election candidates

Source: Zanu PF to decide on by-election candidates –Newsday Zimbabwe

THE ruling Zanu PF party will this week announce names of candidates to participate in the December 9 by-elections with the party’s commissariat department indicating that they are eager to win all the 15 parliamentary seats.

Self-proclaimed Citizens Coalitionfor Change (CCC) interim secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu, recalled 15 MPs from Parliament claiming they had ceased to be members of the opposition party.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa announced December 9, 2023 as the date for the by-elections to fill the vacant seats.

Mnangagwa gazetted Statutory Instrument 188 of 2023, Proclamation 8 of 2023 to announce the dates for by-elections last week.

In an interview with NewsDay in Gutu West constituency on Saturday, Zanu PF national political commissar Mike Bimba said the party is going to convene a meeting on the candidates selection.

“l have received the proclamation by our President Emmerson Mnangagwa and we are going to meet over our candidates and it’s too early to comment over the matter at the moment,” he said.

All eyes will be on Mabvuku-Tafara constituency where Mnangagwa’s top ally Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya is set to contest the election after narrowly losing to CCC candidate Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi.

Finance minister Mthuli Ncube is set to get another chance in Cowdray Park constituency after losing to CCC candidate Pashor Sibanda.

Nomination of candidates of the aspiring candidates will be held on November 7 this year.

The recalled candidates are drawn from Matabeleland South, Matabeleland North, Bulawayo and Harare.

Meanwhile, Bimha said the preparations are at an advanced stage for the Zanu PF People’s Annual Conference which kicks off on Wednesday.

“We are almost done with the preparations for our conference in Gweru, Midlands province and more than 3 000 delegates are set to attend the conference. As l speak, Gweru is now fully booked with our party members,” he said.