By Tichaona Sibanda
More surprise results dominated the headlines after the internal party primaries held by the MDC-T in the three Mashonaland provinces over the weekend.
The internal selection process has so far been applauded by analysts who told SW Radio Africa it has been smoothly held.
US based political commentator Dr Maxwell Shumba said the MDC-T leadership should be commended for not imposing candidates, which has in the past triggered deep divisions in the party.
‘The leadership has created a system were party members are choosing candidates of their choice. This has also allowed the voices of the people to come out strong, as evidenced by the high number of sitting MPs who have not been confirmed in the elections,’ Shumba said.
The MDC has now conducted primaries in 10 out their 12 political provinces. The exercise is set for its final stages in Manicaland and Masvingo, the two provinces that garnered the biggest number of seats for the MDC-T.
Only one out of three sitting MPs was confirmed in Mashonaland East province in elections held on Friday last week. Ian Kay, the legislator for Marondera central, was confirmed by a big margin, while the MP from Murehwa West, Wadi Nezi and Moses Jiri from Chikomba Central fared badly in the internal polls. UK based activist Pearson Kazingizi easily sailed through to stand as an MP for Uzumba.
In Mashonaland Central province, the only two sitting MDC-T MPs were confirmed in elections held on Saturday. The two legislators are Bednock Nyaude for Bindura South and Shepherd Mushonga in Mazowe Central. Tobias Tapera was also uncontested in Rushinga.
Perhaps the biggest shock so far in the primaries was the dismal showing of the influential provincial chairman Godfrey Chimombe who was beaten in the primaries by the less known Leman Pwanyika. Chimombe only managed a paltry four votes.
Another UK based activist, Elliot Pfebve, won convincingly in Bindura north. Apart from Kazingizi and Pfebve, four other UK based activists have participated and won in the primary elections. In all 15 contestants are UK based.
These are Eric Knight (Mbare), Ezra Sibanda, (Vungu), Onismo Manungu (Shurugwi) and Herbert Munangatire (Zvimba West). The rest will have their primaries this coming weekend.
The four sitting MPs in Mashonaland West province were not confirmed and will have to go for primary elections. Takalani Matipe (Chegutu West), Stuart Garadhi (Chinhoyi), Cloepas Machacha (Kariba) and Severino Chambati (Hurungwe west) have privately indicated their intention to drop out of the primaries to be held in two weeks time.
One of the candidates who sailed through in the province was Abigail Sauti (Zvimba North) who will battle it out with Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo if he manages to navigate his way past the ZANU PF primaries.
ZANU PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo has indicated that they might begin their primaries in two weeks time, once they finalize their rules and regulations for the exercise.
The MDC-N secretary-general, Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga, revealed on Saturday that they were almost done with the preparations for elections which are expected in a fortnight’s time. SW Radio Africa
