ZANU PF has replaced former Higher Education minister Olivia Muchena as Senator for Mashonaland East province with little-known Tabeth Murwira, almost a year after recalling her.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Senate President Edna Madzongwe in June last year announced that the ruling party had notified her that Muchena no longer represented its interests after she was linked to former Vice-President Joice Mujuru’s opposition Zimbabwe People First (ZimPF).
In a notice in the Government Gazette last Friday, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chairperson Justice Rita Makarau announced that Murwira had replaced Muchena in the Upper House.
The main opposition MDC-T has also moved swiftly to replace former Bulawayo Senator Matson Hlalo, who was recalled a week ago following a protracted wrangle that spilled into the High Court.
Keep Reading
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Hlalo was expelled from the MDC-T for reportedly taking party matters to court after the High Court ruled in his favour. MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, however, proceeded to recall Hlalo from the Senate.
According to a notice, Hlalo will be replaced by Victor Mapungwana, but the issue has reportedly left the opposition party divided. Both notices urged voters who have objections to raise them within the prescribed 14-day period as required by the Electoral Act.
Meanwhile, two candidates will battle it out for the Guruwe South constituency following the expulsion of another Mujuru loyalist, David Butau, by Zanu PF. Butau is now a leading figure in ZimPF under Mujuru’s leadership.
Zanu PF’s Patrick Dutiro and the opposition National Constitutional Assembly’s Simbarashe Mutsvene will contest in the by-election set for April 23 this year.
Most opposition parties have refused to take part in the by-elections demanding that President Robert Mugabe’s government implement electoral reforms that will level the political playfield.
Some serving Zanu PF MPs have been seen at ZimPF rallies. These reportedly include Chimanimani West lawmaker Munacho Mutezo and Gutu South’s Paul Chimedza. Mujuru has claimed there were top Zanu PF members who support her cause, but were yet to reveal themselves.