Zanu-PF primaries: Youths find going tough

ZANU-PF youths in the Midlands Province failed to make an impact in the recent party primary elections after failing to secure tickets to represent the party in the forthcoming harmonised elections.

The party’s provincial youth chairperson Cde Edmore Samambwa was the only winner after he garnered over 4 000 votes in Zhombe constituency, while his closest rival managed just over a 1 000 votes.

There were four youth league members who were vying for House of Assembly candidatures in the province.

Others were deputy secretary for youth affairs, Cde Lewis Matutu, who contested the Zvishavane-Ngezi constituency, former provincial youth chairman Cde Prosper Machando, who was vying the Chirumanzi-Zibagwe constituency and Cde Monica Magaba in Kwekwe Central constituency.

Cde Matutu lost to Cde Dumezveni Mpofu while Cde Machando was beaten by businessman Cde Crispen Thomu.

Cde Magaba lost to Apostolic church leader Cde Kandros Mugabe.

ZANU-PF Midlands provincial spokesperson Cde Cornelius Mupereri said this year’s primary elections allowed many youths to participate.

He said the number of youths who took part in the primary election was a reflection of the party’s democratic standing under the visionary leadership of President Mnangagwa.

“It was a dog eat dog situation and it’s a reflection of good democracy in the party. President Mnangagwa has reiterated that this time around there were no imposition of candidates and youths had the chance to get into the ring,” he said.

Cde Samambwa said he was happy that youths were allowed to take part in the primary elections.

“There were no sacred cows and we thank the leadership for that,” he said.