Zanu PF primaries shrouded in mystery

By Tatenda Mabasa

CHINHOYI – A dark cloud of uncertainty is hovering over former ruling party Zanu PF members who want to represent the party in forthcoming elections as they are still yet to set guidelines on how candidates will be vetted.

Sources claim some aspiring candidates have skeletons in their cupboards. Grass roots party supporters said they are still yet to get the ‘go ahead’ on who they may support during primaries whose dates are still yet to be announced.

‘’The reason why many aspiring candidates are campaigning clandestinely is that they fear that they may be disqualified for jumping the gun. We have few who are openly showing up that they want to represent the party but even senior party members are in the dark on the selection criteria that will be used during primaries’’ said a provincial party member who declined to be named.

Some party insiders said they are likely to get some members from other provinces to determine CVs submitted for vetting.

‘’If the truth was ever to be told Mashonaland West was rated the worst administered province and would you expect those from within to vet each other? It is like the blind leading the blind here that may see our opponents winning.

“If we want transparency to prevail in the party then we must let officials from another province to assist us in vetting candidates. We have some aspiring candidates whose political history started off this year who are busy campaigning but we can not stop them as there is no selection criteria yet’’ added another senior member.

A member of the party’s central committee added that the selection criteria is still regarded as a “party top secret” and no one knows who may get disqualified.

“This is a top party secret and no one knows who may be selected to represent the party at council and constituency level. As you can see elections are on with President Robert Mugabe’s name being called openly but other positions are in closet” said a member who also declined to be named.

There was no immediate comment from provincial party chairman John Mafa whose phone was unreachable at the time of writing.

Elections dates are still yet to be announced as Zimbabweans gear themselves for a referendum to be held on 16 March that will set benchmarks for elections if the new constitution is adopted or rejected.