No mud-slinging, war vets urge losing candidates

THE War veterans’ leadership in Mashonaland East Province has warned candidates who lost in the recent ZANU-PF primary elections to desist from campaigning against the party’s representatives in the forthcoming harmonised elections.

The call by the provincial leadership comes in the wake of a story carried in the private media in which losing candidate for Murehwa North Cde Marbel Nkatazo was attacking the winning candidate, Cde Daniel Garwe. Cde Nkatazo, who is the party’s proportional representative, early this week took a swipe at war veterans for siding with Cde Garwe.

She further alleged massive irregularities during the April 29 to May 1 primary elections, saying she was not given ample time to campaign, which contributed to her losing the polls.

Murehwa District war veterans chairperson Cde Lovemore Mhuteyebani said party disputes were not solved in the media, but through relevant channels.

“Our leaders have organised a national healing workshop for all candidates who participated in the primary elections and we expect this sign of unity to be the way forward,” he said.

“As war veterans, we are the party’s stockholders, our duty is to support every candidate and ZANU-PF members. Cde Nkatazo should use proper party channels if she feels aggrieved.

“We work with everyone who has the party at heart, all those who participated in the primary elections are ZANU-PF and we should be united as we go for elections.”

During the primary elections Cde Garwe battled it out with Cdes Nkatazo, Cleopas Chinyadza, Tendai Makunde and Eunice Mangwende.

Mashonaland East war veterans’ chairperson Cde Daniel Sigauke said the rivalry among candidates in Murehwa will soon be addressed.

“We do not propagate rivalry in the party as we head for elections,” said he said.

“Cde Nkatazo should not go to the media to soil her colleagues, ZANU-PF is not the enemy, therefore, we call on her to preach unity and desist from making baseless accusations.

“We urge all candidates to be a united force and make sure that President Mnangagwa wins in the forthcoming general elections.”