BIKITA West MP-elect Munyaradzi Kereke faces isolation after Zanu PF on Wednesday insisted there was no reversal to its decision that people who contested the just-ended election without endorsement from the party had automatically expelled themselves.
Report by Staff Reporter
Kereke, the former adviser to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono, defied the party directive to pull out of the contest after Zanu PF had endorsed another ex-central bank employee, Elias Musakwa.
Renowned lawyer Jonathan Samukange also stood as an independent in Mudzi South constituency after he was disqualified during the party’s primaries.
Zanu PF spokesperson Rugare Gumbo yesterday said: “Let me reiterate that he (Kereke) remains expelled for defying the party’s directive.”
Since Zanu PF announced its position on Kereke, speculation has been rife that the party was likely to approach Parliament disowning the banker and seeking a by-election for the constituency.
Asked whether Zanu PF would push for the expulsion of Kereke after being sworn into Parliament, Gumbo said: “We will cross the bridge when we get there.” Contacted for comment Kereke said: “I have no comment.”
However, Samukange chose to be diplomatic about it.
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“I maybe an independent, but I consider myself Zanu PF. In fact, in Parliament I will be voting with Zanu PF MPs. However, what I refuse is to be oppressed and I believe what I did was right as it was in tandem with the party’s resolution (at last year’s annual conference) in Gweru that there should be no imposition of candidates, which is why I won. I was the people’s choice,” said Samukange.
Addressing a rally in Masvingo last month, President Robert Mugabe lashed out at Kereke for imposing himself as the Zanu PF candidate.
“We heard that there are three or so people who think they are greater than the party. Even the President is not greater than the party,” Mugabe said in an open attack on Kereke.
