Two Zanu PF candidates and three independent candidates have successfully secured nominations to contest in the upcoming April 2024 by-elections.
The by-elections seek to replace Mt Pleasant and Harare East lawmakers who resigned from their posts in solidarity with opposition leader Nelson Chamisa who recently gave up on his party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Chamisa quit his party owing to frustration caused by one Sengezo Tshabangu who claimed to be the party’s interim secretary general before he recalled a bunch of lawmakers stating that they were no longer CCC members.
He also blamed the ruling party for stealing his vote during the August 20223 harmonized elections among other things.
The by-elections are scheduled for April 27, 2023, to fill the vacancies left by former CCC legislators, Fadzayi Mahere and Rusty Markham, who represented the two constituencies respectively.
Candidates who filed their papers successfully when the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Nomination Court sat Tuesday are George Mashavave, Kiven Mutimbanyoka of Zanu PF as well as independent candidates who include Nason Mamuse, Brian Ticky and Ropafadzo Cynthia Cheza.
Mashavave will be contesting against Ticky and Mamuse for the Mt Pleasant vacancy while Mutimbanyoka will compete with Cheza in Harare East.
CCC did not field candidates for the race.
Insights from candidates
David Chitimbe, another independent candidate had filed his papers but failed to raise the required US$1 000 nomination fees resulting in him being disqualified.
He had promised to transform Harare East.
“I want my constituency to be progressive. We cannot be having potholes everywhere when we have representatives in parliament. This means those who have been there have failed people and I’m the one who will being change. Harare East people should vote for me because I will bring the change they want,” he said.
Mashavave promised to transform Mt Pleasant saying that he will work closely with his councilors.
“We want to move with time. We need to remove ancient bylaws so if I’m voted into office I will try to have the laws turned around, ” he said.
Cheza promised to fight drug abuse in Harare East.
“Drug abuse is rampant in my constituency and it is a problem I intend to fight,” she said.
She also said she wants a rehabilitation centre to be constructed in the constituency.
Submission of nomination papers ended at 4pm but court sat until around 8pm to give Chitimbe time to pay nomination fees but he failed to do so before he was dropped out of the race.
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