Chronicle
By Temba Dube and Pamela Shumba
2 July 2013
A TOTAL of 70 candidates from 13 political parties, together with some running as independents have entered the National Assembly race in Bulawayo while 126 will battle it out in the council elections in the city’s 29 wards. According to results released by the Nomination Court in the early hours of Saturday, only Zanu-PF, MDC-T and the MDC fielded candidates in all the city’s 12 constituencies.
The result also show that one more disgruntled MDC-T member chose to contest as an independent, bringing to five the number of aspiring MPs that have severed ties with the party.
A tight contest is expected in Makokoba where Zanu-PF’s Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube will lock horns with controversially elected Mr Gorden Moyo of MDC-T and Ms Thabile Ndlovu of the Professor Welshman Ncube led MDC.
Mr Thomeki Dube of Alliance Khumbula Ekhaya (AKE), Mr Zenzo Lot Masuku of Zapu, Ms Patricia Ncube of Free Zimbabwe Congress and Mr Peter Harry Wilson of Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) complete the list of seven candidates vying for the constituency.
An epic battle is also looming in Bulawayo East as Cde Kelvin Muzidziwa of Zanu-PF will contest against Mr David Coltart from MDC, Ms Thabitha Khumalo of MDC-T, Mr Tinashe Kambarami a former youth district chairperson in MDC-T who chose to run as an independent, Mr Kelvin Kasosera of Zimbabwe Patriotic Movement, Mr Norman Kaviza of MKD, Mr Stanley Moyo an independent, former Highlanders chairman Mr Roger Muhlwa of Zapu and Mr Tapson Tivarere of United Movement for Democracy (UMD).
In Nkulumane, Zanu-PF will be fielding Cde David Ndlovu who will take on Mr Thamsanqa Mahlangu of MDC-T, city lawyer Mr Matshobana Ncube of MDC, Memorial Dube of Zapu, Mr Nkosana Ong Mathe from MKD, Ms Rhoda Ncube of Free Zimbabwe Congress and Zanu Ndonga’s Happiness Mthethwa.
With 10 candidates, the Pelandaba-Mpopoma constituency has the highest number of aspiring MPs.
Cde Joseph Tshuma of Zanu-PF is competing with independent candidates and MDC-T “rebel†Mr Samuel Sandla Khumalo, who was the MP for the area in the last parliament, Mr Joseph Vusumuzi Mabhikwa and Mr Jealous Thamsanqa Ndlovu, Mr Bekithemba Nyathi of the MDC-T, MDC’s Ms Duduzile Dube, Mr James Katso of Free Zimbabwe Aliance, Mr Strike Mnkandla of Zapu, Mr Chad Sakala of Zapu-FP and Ephraim Thamsanqa Zhou of AKE.
In Bulawayo Central, the electorate will choose among Zanu-PF’s Cde Mlungisi Moyo, Ms Dorcas Staff Sibanda of MDC-T, Ms Sibongile Maphosa from MDC, Maidza Chapwanya of MKD, Ms Linda Dube of AKE, and Angirayi Selwin Kwembeya of United Movement for One Cause.
Bulawayo South will see Cde Bafana Andy Dube of Zanu-PF battling against MDC’s Ms Esnath Bulayani, MDC-T’s Eddie Graham Cross, Mr Joseph Gumbo of MKD, Mr Fidelis Gwebu of Zapu, Mr Gift House of Zimbabwe Patriotic Movement and Mr Brian Merekera of Zapu-FP.
In Pumula, Cde Godfrey Malaba Ncube of Zanu –PF, Mr Albert Mhlanga of the MDC-T, Ms Loyiswa Ncube of MDC, an independent candidate Mr Zacheous Peresu, Mr Zakhele Mpofu of AKE, Zapu’s Mr Samuel Ngozo, Mr Emmanuel Gwaenda of Free Zimbabwe Congress and Mr Sambulelwe Tshabangu of People’s Democratic Union, will each be trying to convince the electorate to vote them into office.
For Nketa, businessman Cde Eliphasi Mashaba of Zanu-PF is battling it out with Mr Phelela Masuku of MDC-T, Alderman Mr Charles Mpofu of MDC, Mr Joel Dube of AKE, Mr Sikhumbuzo Bongani Dube of Zapu-FP and Mr Clark Mpofu of Zapu.
In Luveve, Cde Nicholas Mhlanga of Zanu-PF will compete against Mr Reggie Moyo of MDC-T, Mr Israel Mabaleka of MDC, AKE’s Clifton Ncube and MDC-T “renegadeâ€, Mr Kidwell Mujuru who will be contesting as an independent.
In Magwegwe, Cde Grace Dube of Zanu-PF, city lawyer Mr Sindiso Shepherd Mazibisa of MDC, Mr Anele Ndebele of MDC-T and Mr Felix Magalela Mafa, who broke away from the MDC-T, will be fighting for the seat.
In Emakhandeni, Cde Judith Mkwanda Ncube of Zanu-PF, Mr Prince Dube who left MDC-T to run as an independent, MDC-T’s Mr Dingilizwe Tshuma, MDC’s Ms Christabel Sibutha, Mr Mqondisi Moyo from AKE, and Mr Petros Sibanda of Zapu will battle it out.
In Lobengula, Zanu-PF’s Cde Christopher Dube, Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo of MDC-T, Mr Nhlanhla Bahlangene Dube of MDC, Ms Neria Guvamombe of Zanu Ndonga, Mr Valentine Gwaenda of Free Zimbabwe Congress, Mr Witness Jiyane of AKE and Albert Mathe Ndimande are vying for the constituency.
For the council elections, Zanu-PF, MDC-T and MDC will be represented in all the wards, while Zapu, Alliance Khumbula Ekhaya (AKE), Mavambo Kusile Dawn (MKD) and Zanu Ndonga will be represented in some of the wards.
Two MDC-T candidates filed their papers as independent candidates after they lost in the party’s primary elections which they said were unfair and unprocedural.
Ms Thembeni Khoza filed as an independent candidate to contest in Ward 12, where she will battle it out with Cde Maidei Mpala of Zanu-PF, Ms Lilian Mlilo of MDC-T and Mr Christopher Ntini from Zapu.
Mr Phinias Ndlovu also decided to go it alone in Ward 14 and will lock horns with Zanu-PF’s Cde Mervis Nkomo, Mr McDonald Chunga of MDC-T and Mr Rojasi Nyoni of MDC.
In Ward 1, Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Bertha Moyo, who will contest with Mr Mandla Ncube of MDC, Mr Mbuso Siso of MDC and Mr Canaan Mpofu of Zapu, while in Ward 2 Cde Barbra Gatsi of Zanu-PF will be competing for the seat with Ms Sithabile Mataka of MDC-T, Mr Lucky Fengu of MDC and Ngelethu Sibanda of Zapu.
Ward 3 will see Cde Emmanuael Kanjoma of Zanu-PF battling it out with Mr Martin Moyo of MDC-T, Mr Oscar Ncube of MDC, Ms Nomalanga Dabengwa of Zapu and Mr Mthulisi Moyo, who filed as an independent candidate.
In Ward 4 Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Charles Masunda, who will contest against Mr Silas Chigora of MDC-T, Mr Paul Malaba of MDC and Ms Vivian Ncube of Zapu while Ward 5 will see Cde Molina Dube of Zanu-PF, Mr Gift Banda of MDC-T and Ms Nozipho Sibanda of MDC competing for the ward.
Cde Sheila Ante will represent Zanu-PF in Ward 6, where Ms Tabitha Ngwenya of MDC-T, Ms Elizabeth Fischer of MDC, Ms Bridget Richardson of Zapu and Tendai Chiomadzi of MKD will also be vying for the same seat.
Ward 7 will see Cde Sally Siziba of Zanu-PF, Mr James Sithole of MDC-T, Sidingani Dube of MDC and Sibuzani Tshabalala of Zapu battling it out to represent the ward, while in Ward 8 Cde Jairos Maropa of Zanu-PF, Ms Shilla Musonda of MDC-T, Ms Gerly Matsika of MDC, Mr Geoffrey Mpofu of Zapu and Siyatsengi Phiri of AKE will compete to be councillors in the ward.
In Ward 9 Cde Ebbie Dube of Zanu-PF, Mr Charles Moyo of MDC-T, Mr Samuel Ndlovu of MDC and Ms Sibongile Ncube of Zapu will battle it out for the seat and Ward 10 will see Cde Elliot Moyo of Zanu-PF, Ms Gladys Masuku of MDC-T, Mr Nqobani Ncube of MDC and Mr Harry Zondo of Zapu competing for the votes.
In Ward 11 Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Rejoice Sibanda, MDC-T will be represented by Mr Pilate Moyo, MDC by Mr Nduna Dladla while Zapu will be represented by Mr Richard Dube.
In Ward 13 voters will choose their councillor from Cde  Taison Mpofu of Zanu-PF, Mr Lot Siziba of MDC-T, Mr Freddy Ngulube of MDC and Ms Sithembile Ndlovu of Zapu, while in Ward 15 Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Lucky Moyo, MDC-T by Tamani Moyo, MDC by Mr Rojasi Nyoni and Zanu Ndonga by Mr Ignatius Kazenga.
In Ward 16 Cde Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo will represent Zanu-PF, where he will be battling it out with Mr Nephat Sibanda of MDC-T, Ms Stella Ndlovu of MDC, Mr Peter Mabhena of Zapu and Mr Christopher Mathe, who filed his papers as an independent candidate.
Cde Ottilia Pasipanopdya will represent Zanu-PF in Ward 17 and she will be competing for the seat with Mr Ephraim Ncube of MDC-T, Mr Nqobizitha Moyo of MDC and Mr Patrick Ndlovu of Zapu while Ward 18 will see competition from Cde Sindisani Mpofu of Zanu-PF, Ms Concilia Mlalazi of MDC-T, Mr Oscar Dube of MDC, Mr Gibson Sikhosana of Zapu, Mr Joseph Pasipamire of Zanu Ndonga and Sabelo Nkomo of CTD.
In Ward 19 voters will choose their councillor from Cde Theresa Moyo of Zanu-PF, Mr Clyton Zana of MDC-T, Mr Kenneth Ncube of MDC and Mr Alexio Mahlangu of Zapu, while voters in Ward 20 will choose their councillor from Cde Dennis Sibanda of Zanu-PF, Mr Eanerst Rafomoyo of MDC-T, Ms Sheilla Senda of MDC and Mr Naison Dube of Zapu.
In Ward 21 Cde Dinah Ncube of Zanu-PF will lock horns with Mr Rueben Matengu of MDC-T, Mr Jethro Mthombeni of MDC and Ms Liba Ndiweni of Zapu while in Ward 22 Cde Yona Mpofu of Zanu-PF, Mr Rodney Donavan of MDC-T, Ms Siphiwe Ndlovu of MDC and Ms Enitha Mlilo of Zapu will battle it out for the seat.
Cde Sikhululekile Ngwenya will represent Zanu-PF in Ward 23 and she will be contesting with Mr Thobani Ncube of MDC-T, Mr Ngwalo Nyathi of MDC, Bekezela Mhlophe of Zapu and Mr David Mothi who filed his papers as an independent candidate.
Voters in Ward 24 will be choosing their councillor from Cde Keiza Mdlongwa of Zanu-PF, Mr Gideon Mangena of MDC-T, Wingle Moyo of MDC and Mr Victor Nhliziyo of Zapu, while in Ward 25 Cde Alice Mlilo of
Zanu-PF, Mr Mzama Dube of MDC-T, Mr Joseph Ndlovu of MDC and Mr Jonathan Ndlovu of Zapu will battle it out for the seat.
In Ward 26 Artin Sauramba will contest as an independent candidate while Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Lungisani Sibanda, MDC-T by Mr Norman Hlabani, MDC by Mr Ignatius Mpofu, Zapu by Mr Danisa Moyo and AKE by Ms Sibongile Moyo.
In Ward 27 Cde Kalfinos Charumbira of Zanu-PF, Ms Siboniso Khumalo of MDC-T, Mr Edwin Ndlovu of MDC and Mr Peter Ncube of Zapu will battle it out for the seat.
Voters in Ward 28 will choose their councillor from Cde  Nqgabutho Nkomo of Zanu-PF, Mr Collet Ndhlovu of MDC-T, Ms Mejury Bungu of MDC, Mr Enock Dube of Zapu and independent candidate Mbuso Mathuthu.
In Ward 29 Cde Gezephi Ncube of Zanu-PF will battle it out with Ms Monicah Lubimbi of MDC-T, Mr Kelboy Mabandla of MDC and Musa Gumbi of Zapu.