ACTING President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s wife, Auxillia, has been declared Zanu PF’s sole candidate for the Chirumanzu-Zibagwe by-election to be held on March 27 after two other aspiring party candidates withdrew their CVs during a provincial electorate directorate meeting yesterday.
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Women’s League secretary for administration Violet Nhari and Youth League deputy secretary for transport and social welfare Erasmus Jaya withdrew from the race at the last minute yesterday to pave way for Auxillia, who will represent the ruling party in the by-election already boycotted by the opposition MDCs.
It that regard, Auxilia would automatically be declared Chirumanzu-Zibagwe MP by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission uncontested if the MDC formations stick to their word.
Zanu PF Midlands provincial spokesperson Cornelius Mpereri confirmed the development yesterday.
“Three people submitted their CVs and two withdrew, leaving only one. Cde Violet Nhari and Cde Erasmus Jaya withdrew to pave way for Cde Mnangagwa. The constituency is big, probably the biggest in the country, and it needs someone with the capacity so as not to affect massive projects started by the VP,” Mpereri said.
The seat fell vacant following Mnangagwa’s elevation to the position of Vice-President, but Auxillia had initially faced resistance from some party members in the constituency who wanted to be represented by a local.
Addressing hundreds of Zanu PF supporters in the constituency over the weekend, the Acting President said people should not be intimidated that his wife was seeking the position, but should feel free to challenge her.
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The by-election was scheduled to run concurrently with the Mt Darwin West that was held by former Vice-President Joice Mujuru.
