ZANU PF Mashonaland East stalwart and apostolic sect leader Lawrence Katsiru caused a stir in Marondera Central last Thursday after he commandeered a convoy of campaign vehicles in the farming town ahead of the party’s primary elections to choose a candidate to replace MP Ray Kaukonde.
Own Correspondent
Katsiru, who recently completed his nine-year jail term for allegedly raping a juvenile, led the convoy in a white baby Hummer SUV. He is one of the 13 candidates who have submitted their curriculum vitaes (CVs) to the Zanu PF leadership for consideration to contest on the party’s ticket following the expulsion of Kaukonde who was also party provincial chairperson.
Interim chairperson Aeneas Chigwedere told NewsDay that the provincial elections directorate submitted the 13 CVs to national commissariat department headed by Environment minister Saviour Kasukuwere in Harare and the selection process was yet to be completed.
“We came out with 13 candidates and we sent the names to the commissariat in Harare who are yet to return to us (sic). To those who are already campaigning, there is nothing we can do to stop them, but the commissariat is still finalising the list of candidates to take part in primary election,” Chigwedere said.
Other interested candidates who reportedly submitted their CVs were former mayor Ralph Chimanikire, educationist Cleopas Kundiona, wildlife enthusiast Jerry Gotora and Harold Gamu, among others.
Meanwhile, former MDC-T mayor Farai Nyandoro was tipped to stand as an independent candidate.
Nyandoro was elected as Marondera mayor in 2013, but was later suspended from the MDC-T before joining MDC Renewal Team.
