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MPs face litmus test

Politics
TWENTY-SEVEN MDC-T MPs, among them a Cabinet minister, who were not confirmed as candidates will this weekend face “litmus tests” during primary elections.

TWENTY-SEVEN MDC-T MPs, among them a Cabinet minister, who were not confirmed as candidates will this weekend face “litmus tests” during primary elections that could end their political careers.

Report by Moses Matenga

Party organising secretary Nelson Chamisa yesterday said primary elections were on this weekend to choose candidates that will represent MDC-T in the forthcoming harmonised elections. He added that winners would undergo an induction exercise.

Chamisa said those candidates that have already failed the confirmation tests and raised complaints with his office, should not lose heart, but remain “valuable members of the party” as the outcome of the process was an indication of democracy at play.

“It’s (the selected MP’s) a rich mix of the vibrancy and dynamism of the youth and the wisdom of the aged and mature,” Chamisa said.

“We are going into the final stages of the whole process this weekend and after that those who would have succeeded will go through induction process. The process has been magnificent and wonderful. It has been very peaceful and credible. Our colleagues in the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission can pick one or two things, especially the Registrar-General from our template.” Some big names who failed the confirmation tests include Science and Technology Development minister Heneri Dzinotyiwei (Budiriro), Housing ex-minister Fidelis Mhashu (Chitungwiza North), Elias Jembere (Epworth), Pearson Mungofa (Highfield East), Willias  Madzimure (Kambuzuma), Margaret Matienga (Sunningdale), Gift Dzirutwe (Glen Norah) and Simon Hove (Highfield West).

Other MPs who could also not be confirmed were Zengeza West MP Collen Gwiyo, Misheck Shoko (Chitungwiza South), Marvellous Khumalo, (St Mary’s), Greenbate Dongo (Goromonzi South), Edward Musumbu (Norton), Dorcas Sibanda (Bulawayo East), Felix Magalela Sibanda (Magwegwe) and Samuel Sandla Khumalo (Pelandaba-Mpopoma).

Gweru Urban MP Rodrick Rutsvara, Zaka Central MP Harrison Mudzuri and Chikomba Central MP Moses Jiri also lost in the confirmation exercise.

Several MDC-T youths were either confirmed to represent the MDC-T in the elections or forced primary elections in their constituencies. These included Youth Assembly leader Solomon Madzore (Dzivarasekwa), Happymore Chidziva (Redcliff), Morgan Ncube, former Zinasu president Joshua Chinyere, Patrick Musevenzi (Gokwe-Sesame) and Jacob Mafume (Harare South).