Seventeen MDC-T bigwigs were at the weekend beaten in primary elections seeking candidates to represent the party in the forthcoming harmonised polls.
Staff Reporters
Among those rejected are Budiriro MP and minister of Science and Technology Development Heneri Dzinotyiwei who got 150 votes against youth assembly vice chairman Costa Machingauta’s 278 votes.
In Highfield West, Moses Manyengavana beat sitting MP Simon Hove while former minister Fidelis Mhashu (Chitungwiza North MP), former mayor Misheck Shoko (Chitungwiza South MP), Collin Gwiyo (Zengeza West MP) and Edward Musumbu (Norton MP) all fell by the wayside. Marvellous Khumalo (St Mary’s) withdrew after failing the confirmation test.
Pearson Mungofa (Highfield East) got 200 votes losing to Eric Murayi who garnered 256 votes. Margaret Matienga (Sunningdale), and Gift Dzirutwe (Glen Norah) also lost.
Willias Madzimure (Kambuzuma) sailed through the tough primary election.
The process in Epworth was called off on Saturday after skirmishes that saw one of the contestants allegedly fleeing with ballot boxes. Another date for the elections will be announced soon.
Incumbent Chinhoyi MP Stewart Garadhi polled 201 votes, losing to Peter Matarutse who got 545 ballots.
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In Hurungwe West, the party’s provincial organising secretary Wilson Makanyaire romped to victory after trouncing sitting MP Severino Chambati. He got 3 200 votes against Chambati’s 115.
Sitting Chegutu West MP Takalani Matibe did not participate in the internal elections after he failed the confirmation test a fortnight ago.
In Mashonaland East, sitting MPs Moses Jiri (Chikomba Central) and Wadi Nezi (Murehwa West) fell to provincial chairperson Pineal Denga and Leornad Mandaza respectively.
In Kariba, sources said preliminary results collated from Kariba rural polling centres indicated incumbent Cleopas Machacha was trailing aspiring lawmaker Munyaradzi Mandishona. The elections will be concluded later after urban voters cast their ballots on a date to be announced.
In Gweru Central constituency, incumbent MP Rodrick Rutsvara lost to the party secretary for elections Sessel Zvidzai who was non-constituency Senator.
Dorcas Sibanda retained Bulawayo central after garnering 173 against Nicki Brown’s 112. Bekithemba Nyathi beat Pelandaba\Mpopoma MP Sandla Khumalo.
MDC-T organising secretary Nelson Chamisa said: “The process is the best indication of excellency and we are satisfied with the discharge of the whole process.”
At the time of going to print primaries were still to be concluded in Magwegwe, Bulawayo.
