ZANU PF has warned party aspirants against premature campaigning saying those already jostling for the Headlands and Hurungwe West seats had jumped the gun.
BY MOSES MATENGA/OBEY MANAYITI
The two seats fell vacant last week following the expulsion of incumbents former Zanu PF secretary of administration Didymus Mutasa and fired Mashonaland West provincial chairman Temba Mliswa from Parliament at the instigation of the ruling party.
Zanu PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said his office had received reports that several aspiring candidates had already started campaigning in the constituencies.
Over the weekend, nine of the party’s aspiring candidates for Headlands constituency, who included Dakarai Mapuranga, were busy campaigning in the area.
“We will announce the by-election dates when the right time comes. Those who are doing it like Mapuranga are jumping the gun. Announcements will be made once proclamations are done by the President, then we will call for CVs and authorising the campaigns,” Kasukuwere said.
It was a hive of activity in Headlands with candidates interested openly campaigning to have their names on the ballot paper alongside that of Mutasa who has also shown interest to stand as a Zanu PF candidate.
Mapuranga launched his campaign on Sunday with a football tournament at his Mandara Farm where he challenged old party members to campaign for Senate seats and leave House of Assembly seats to Young Turks.
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“I like challenges and with the expulsion of the former MP (Mutasa) I was not even eyeing to be the legislator for the area, but when the local traditional leadership said they want fresh hands, then I looked at the challenge and even at other contestants and I felt I should take on the challenge,” he said.
He singled out Christopher Chingosho, William Taurai Chiripamberi and Nation Madongorere as other contestants who have declared interest, though NewsDay was reliably informed that the list had more than 10 aspiring candidates who included former Manicaland governor Tinaye Chigudu.
