The ManicaPost
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
RULING ZANU PF party, independent candidates and opposition parties in Manicaland are oiling their machinery ahead of the forthcoming by-elections set for March 26.
The country will hold by-elections for House of Assembly seats as well as local authority seats that fell vacant after the incumbents were either recalled or passed on.
In Manicaland, House of Assembly by-elections will he held for Dangamvura/Chikanga and Mutasa South constituencies, while local authority councillors by-elections will be conducted in some wards in Chipinge, Makoni and Mutare.
The Dangamvura/Chikanga parliamentary seat fell vacant after MDC Alliance legislator, Mr Prosper Mutseyami, was recalled from the National Assembly by the Mr Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T (now contesting as MDC Alliance).
In Mutasa South, Mr Regai Tsunga was also recalled by the MDC-T.
For Dangamvura/Chikanga, Cde Isau Mupfumi will be representing ZANU PF, while Mr Mutseyami will be representing Citizens Coalition for Change.
Popular sungura musician, Mr Hosiah Chipanga will be representing the Patriotic Zimbabweans party.
Other candidates vying for the same seat include Mr Taurai Mudzipurwa (MDC Alliance) and Mr Anesu Zaranyika (MA’AT Zimbabwe).
In Mutasa South, ZANU PF will be represented by Cde Misheck Mugadza, while Mr Tsunga will be representing the Citizens Coalition for Change.
Mr Pedzisai Tauzeni of MDC Alliance and Ms Eurydice Lynette Ndoro (Independent) also threw their hats in the ring for Mutasa South.
Different parties contesting in the plebiscite have since launched their campaigns for the by-elections.
ZANU PF Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro said the party is raring to go.
Cde Madiro said the crumbling service delivery in local authorities will give them an added advantage over the opposition parties.
“We are on a rollercoaster ride as we head for the by-elections. I have no doubt that we will win in the perceived traditional opposition strongholds in urban areas.
“The electorate is now aware of the corrupt tendencies and inefficiencies with the opposition as far as service delivery in urban areas is concerned.
“As a party, revolutionary as we have always been, we are together with the people on the ground. The people are now aware of how the opposition run down local authorities and they are ready to vote for ZANU PF come March 26,” said Cde Madiro.
ZANU PF Women’s League’s national secretary for administration and Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa is today (Friday) expected to address a rally at Muchena Hall in Mutasa and Sakubva Beit Hall.
On Saturday she will then go to Dangamvura Beit Hall and Harlem Grounds in Mutare to drum up support for Cdes Mugadza and Mupfumi respectively.
Patriotic Zimbabweans candidate, Mr Chipanga said they will hit the ground running this weekend with door-to-door campaigns in Dangamvura/Chikanga constituency.
“There were some few technicalities that our party leadership was sorting out, but starting this weekend we will be visible on the ground. I will be moving around telling people what we will work on when voted into office.
“I strongly believe that the electorate will see the difference between my candidature and those individuals they have been voting for all along.
“Gone are the days when we entertained leaders who would eloquently articulate Government position to us while they fail to eloquently articulate our position and plight to Government,” said Mr Chipanga.
