CCC to have double candidates in Byo after all recalled legislators filed nomination papers

Bulawayo (New Ziana)-All the 14 Citizens Coalition forChange (CCC) legislators from Bulawayo who were recently recalled from Parliament on Tuesday successfully filed nomination papers to contest in
the December 9 by-elections in their former constituencies under the
same party.

The CCC will have double candidates in the by-elections after the
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission also accepted papers signed by party
interim party secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu for candidates who
will also contest in the same constituencies.

Papers for the recalled legislators were signed and filed by Sthabile
Mlilo on behalf CCC leader Nelson Chamisa while those for the Tshabangu
faction were filed by local lawyer Kucaca Phulu who refused to give a
comment on the matter.

Candidates who are seeking to reclaim their constituency seats include
Desmond Makaza for Mpopoma-Mzilikazi, Eric Gono for Lobengula/Magwegwe, Nichola Watson for Bulawayo South, Obert Manduna for
Nketa and Pashor Raphael Sibanda for Cowdry Park.

Those whose papers were endorsed by Tshabangu include Sithole James
(Bulawayo South constituency), Chirwa Vusimusi (Cowdry Park), Nyathi
Tendai Chitura (Lobengula-Magwegwe), Moyo Charles (Mpopoma-Mzilikazi)
and Sibindi Ambrose (Nketa).

A few weeks after the country held harmonised elections in August this
year, Tshabangu wrote a letter to the National Assembly, Senate and the
Ministry of Local notifying them of the expulsion of the legislators and
councilors from the CCC.

He alleged that the legislators and councilotrs were a product of a
dubious nomination process for the August 23 and 24 harmonised election
and therefore they were being recalled.

Leader of the CCC, Nelson Chamisa and other party officials including
the recalled legislators disowned Tshabangu, labelling him an imposter.

Chamisa said his party did not have structures and therefore the
position of secretary general did not exist.

Meanwhile, Zanu- PF will be represented by Raj Modi in Bulawayo South,
Arthur Mujeyi (Cowdray Park), Dube Nedziva (Lobengula Magwegwe), Kamamba
Dzingayi (Mpopoma Mzilikazi) and Mavhunga Albert Tawanda (Nketa).

The opposition Democratic Official Party (DOP) also successfully filed
nominations in two constituencies, Mpopoma Mzilikazi and Nketa where
will be represented by Sibanda Blessing and Gwetu Luckmore respectively.

One independent candidate, Tapfumaneyi Pardon, successfully filed papers
to contest in Mpopoma Mzilikazi.

After announcing the successful candidates, Presiding Officer Mavis
Madiwakure said the election will be held on December 9 this year.

“Since more than one candidate has been duly nominated, election in each
of the National Assembly constituencies shall take place in all
mentioned constituencies on Saturday 9 December 2023 in accordance to
section 46, subsection 17, paragraph C of the Electoral Act chapter 213
as read with proclamation number 8 of 2023,” she said.

New Ziana