The ManicaPost
Samuel Kadungure
Senior Reporter
ZANU PF has announced Monday, December 28 as the date for the Mutare District Coordination Committee (DCC) chairmanship rerun.
This comes three weeks after the nullification of the first round of voting.
The first round was marred by allegations of electoral fraud amid claims that some ballot papers were found in refuse bins, adventively harming the credibility of the poll outcome.
The poll for the Mutare DCC chairmanship pitted four candidates — Cdes Binali Yard, Clever Muparutsa, Cecilia Gambe and Ivan Mbengo.
Initially there were protests at the provincial offices where protestors accused the presiding authority of not following due process to ensure an even playing field as well as a free and fair election.
Zanu PF acting national spokesperson, Cde Patrick Chinamasa, confirmed the latest development, adding that preparations are on course.
“A decision was taken that there should be a rerun for the post of chairperson in Mutare Urban. Rerun is for the chairman post only,” said Cde Chinamasa.
Zanu PF provincial chairman, Cde Mike Madiro, said proper logistical arrangements are now in place for easier movement of people to and from the polling stations dotted across the district.
Polling will be done through ballot papers with each voter getting one ballot paper.
Polling will begin at 8am and close at 4pm.
Cde Madiro said the rerun will be conducted by the National Electorate Directorate (NED).
“Mutare Urban is ready for the re-run. The election is likely to be different in that it will be run by the National Electorate Directorate. They may not bring the same team that conducted the first round of elections,” said Cde Madiro.
He added: “The people of Mutare must conduct themselves properly and ensure that the elections are held in a peaceful and harmonious environment. Nobody should exert undue influence on the electoral college. Let them vote freely without undue influence and interference from interested parties,” said Cde Madiro.
The election will likely be a tight contest between Cdes Yard and Muparutsa.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF Manicaland Provincial Coordinating Committee held over the weekend endorsed the DCC results from seven other districts as reflective of the people’s free-will.
Incoming DCC chairpersons are Cdes Albert Nyakuyedzwa (Makoni), Causemore Chimombe (Buhera), Barnabas Mhaka (Nyanga), Blessing Parirenyatwa (Zimunya-Marange), Brighton Muchuwa (Chimanimani), Washington Ziwiwi (Mutasa) and Themba Munaiwa Sithole (Chipinge).
The meeting was attended by Cde Chinamasa, Women’s League secretary for administration, Cde Monica Mutsvangwa, who is also Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, and Deputy Senate president and Central Committee member, Cde Mike Nyambuya and Cde Madiro among others.
Cde Mutsvangwa said she was happy with the DCCs, but implored the party to rope in more youths.
“We now want more youths in the party. We want to pass the baton to our youths before we start walking with the assistance of walking sticks,” she said.
Cde Mutsvangwa took the opportunity to tell party members of the progress being made by the Government especially on roads construction.
She said the roads projects, including the Harare-Beitbridge, are being rolled out without external funding.
Cde Mutsvangwa added that Government is fighting corruption in all its forms.
