Zanu-PF warns rogue supporters
THE ZANU-PF leadership in Masvingo will take action against intransigent party members who are still in denial over the outcome of ruling party primary elections held to choose the party’s candidates for harmonised elections set for July 30.
The development comes amid reports that raging disputes over the outcome of primary elections held at the end of April were stifling efforts to unite party structures and rally them to make sure ZANU-PF wins the forthcoming harmonised elections in the province.
ZANU-PF Masvingo provincial chair Cde Ezra Chadzamira said the party leadership was trying to unite warring parties in Gutu East and Chiredzi West where divisions were still playing out in the open over the outcome of the primary elections in the two constituencies.
In Gutu East, ex-deputy minister and incumbent legislator Cde Berita Chikwama won the battle for the constituency after a tight contest against Cde Mafios Mlambo, whose supporters want a rerun.
In Chiredzi West, incumbent Member of Parliament Cde Darlington Chiwa is reportedly refusing to recognise the victory of former Tongaat Hulett director Cde Farai Musikavanhu.
There are fears the raging fights could jeopardise efforts to effectively campaign for the party and its presidential candidate President Mnangagwa.
Cde Chadzamira said action would be taken against party members who continue to spurn efforts to close ranks.
“We still have some areas, particularly Gutu East and Chiredzi West, where there is still bitterness because of the outcome of primary elections to choose ZANU-PF parliamentary candidates in the two constituencies,” he said.
“I am appealing to all true party cadres to bury the past and put their differences aside so that they work together for ZANU-PF and its presidential candidate, Cde ED Mnangagwa, to win resoundingly in the coming elections.
“Let it be known that there will be no more election reruns, the list of approved winning candidates in the province is final, we are now working for ZANU-PF.”
Cde Chadzamira said genuine members were supposed to understand that the party’s interests were bigger than those of an individual.
He said President Mnangagwa’s call for party cadres to forget the past and work together for the good of ZANU-PF should be heeded.
“We will not hesitate to take disciplinary action against party members who continue to live in the past and show bitterness over a process that has since passed,” said Cde Chadzamira.
“Primary elections are over and some were not happy with what happened, but we are now approaching elections, we need to put ZANU-PF interests first.
“Those who resist to unite with others will be punished because genuine party members are disciplined.”
Cde Chadzamira said the party leadership in the province would continue to monitor the situation in the two constituencies closely to make sure unity prevailed.
“Generally, we are very happy with preparations for the coming harmonised and we are confident of victory because in most areas campaigning has been going on smoothly and we are happy with the situation on the ground,” he said.
Cde Chadzamira said the ruling party was aiming for a clean sweep of all the 26 House of Assembly seats in the province.