A FIERCE political battle looms in Tsholotsho North where Water Resources minister Samuel Sipepa Nkomo’s wife, Roseline Nkomo, has won the MDC-T ticket to challenge Zanu PF politburo member Jonathan Moyo in the forthcoming parliamentary polls. Report by Political Editor
Another clash of the titans is expected in Mines minister Obert Mpofu (Zanu PF)’s Umguza constituency where former police superintendent Lolindo Masuku was elected to represent the MDC-T in party primary elections held on Tuesday.
Nkomo trounced her rival Lwazi Sibanda by 1 912 votes to 300 while Masuku beat Noel Behane by 852 to 433 votes in MDC-T primaries.
The Tsholotsho North contest is expected to serve as a barometer to test Zanu PF’s popularity considering that Moyo won the seat uncontested after he stood as an independent before rejoining Zanu PF.
Other top MDC-T officials who sailed through include deputy organising secretary Abednico Bhebhe and MPs Joel Gabhuza (Binga South), Brian Tshuma (Hwange Central) and Wesley Tose Sansole (Hwange East.)
However, all did not go well for two sitting MPs, Patrick Sibanda (Binga North) and his Hwange West counterpart Gift Mabhena. The two were not confirmed and are set to go for primaries, said Nelson Chamisa, the MDC-T organising secretary.
Chamisa expressed confidence in the calibre of the party’s new candidates.
“We can only but give sympathy to our opponents because we have a job to be done and to deliver a new Zimbabwe and a new beginning. We have told our colleagues in Zanu PF that a new Zimbabwe begins with them as it begins with us and definitely it needs all of us,” he said.
