Powerplay: Binga Chiefs decisive in ZANU PF candidate selection

Binga traditional leaders are reportedly at the centre of a disputed ZANU PF candidate selection process for the December 9 by-election, which prevented Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) leader Kudakwashe Munsaka from getting a second bite of the cherry as party candidate for Binga North.

The seat fell vacant after CCC self-styled secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu recalled Member of Parliament, Prince Dubeko Sibanda.

Munsaka lost to Sibanda in the 23 August election and was hoping for another shot in the upcoming by-election but the influential Binga chiefs had other ideas.

Sources say the 12 chiefs of Binga North Constituency met in Bulawayo Tuesday last week to select a candidate who has potential to defeat  the opposition  which won the Binga North parliamentary seat in the 23 August harmonised  election. According to well placed sources, there were three potential  candidates namely, Cephas Siangoma Mudenda, Chineka Muchimba and Munsaka. Muchimba emerged as the chosen candidate.

Though noting that traditional leaders should not participate in party politics, Chief Siabuwa argued that for the sake of Binga’s development, the chiefs had to intervene.

“It is normal after every election to have disputes and this selection was not based on nepotism. We want a leader who is capable of delivering because as a community we have scores of grievances which will need a competent individual hence we selected this particular candidate.

 We are aware that as chiefs, we should distance  ourselves from such party processess but it is in the interests of Binga residents that ZANU-PF wins Binga North because Binga has been under opposition control for decades and still we have no progress. Our involvement is to drive development. 

After the struggle we were under ZAPU, but that did not yield positive developments for the community, at some point we changed to MDC but still gained nothing. For long the opposition has failed the community and so we want to give the ruling  party a chance, maybe our dawn will come from there.”

ZANU PF Binga Politibro member, Rabecca Fanuel said she is aware of the other six chiefs’ concerns about the candidate but added that the party will work tirelessly beyond the disputes for a common cause. 

“I was not part of the selection  process so I am not well versed with  what transpired even though I have  heard those concerns but as a party we have a common goal of victory over the constituency, hence I would like to encourage everyone involved in this process to move towards party goals and ensure that come 9 December, victory is certain,” she said.

Zimbabwean traditional leaders have for long, flagrantly violated the constitution as they continue to be heavily involved in ruling party affairs.

In the run up to the recent elections, ZANU PF Second Secretary Kembo Mohadi torched a storm when he made remarks during the installation of Chief Maduna in Filabusi.

“When I came here I asked who the headmen are, as they are the ones who lead people. They are the ones who will make people go and vote for Zanu PF. You traditional leaders are the ones who will make people go and vote for Zanu PF. I hope all the leaders here, you, Sibasa and Ndube will make your followers go and vote. We want to win resoundingly.”

“May I remind you that what we agreed on should stay as is until the day the president announces the election date. Do we agree Godlwayo?” said Mohadi.

Mohadi’s utterances are at odds with the Constitution of Zimbabwe regarding traditional leaders and partisan politics. All traditional leaders who include chiefs, head persons or village heads as provided in section 280(2) of the Constitution, must not be involved in partisan politics as this is a violation of the right to a free and fair election as provided in section 67 (a) of the Constitution.