Zanu PF to launch war against rebellious losing primary candidates

GWERU – Zanu PF has taken a tough stance against losing candidates in the party’s primaries who choose to contest as independents in the upcoming August 23 elections.

According to resolutions made during the five-day induction workshop held in Gweru, any candidate who runs as an independent will face expulsion from the party.

The workshop, which was closed to the media, saw Zanu PF’s national political commissar, Mike Bimha, address the issue, stating that candidates should wait for the next election if they are unsuccessful.

Bimha made it clear that contesting as an independent candidate would result in automatic expulsion from the party.

He also mentioned instances where independent candidates had later sought readmission to the party, highlighting the difficulties they faced outside the party’s support.

“For those candidates who lost in the primary elections, they should wait for another election,” Bimha said.

“President Emmerson Mnangagwa said there is no winner and there is no loser in the party.”

Bimha also referred to statements made by the national chairperson, Oppah Muchinguri, during the workshop in Masvingo, reiterating the consequences of running as an independent candidate.

Sources who attended the workshop revealed that Muchinguri emphasized that any Zanu PF members who contest as independent candidates would face permanent expulsion from the party.

The decision was made to prevent the splitting of votes in some constituencies, which could potentially give the opposition an advantage.

Previously, independent candidates from the party would face suspension for a minimum of five years.

The primary elections held last month were marred by allegations of violence and rigging, resulting in the loss of several prominent Zanu PF figures.

Some of these aspiring candidates who feel they were unfairly eliminated are now considering running as independent candidates.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) is scheduled to conduct candidate nominations on June 21, where the final list of candidates for the August 23 elections will be confirmed.