The Herald

By The Herald Reporter

6 July 2013

MDC and Zapu have forged an alliance ahead of the July 31 harmonised elections in a move that will result in candidates from the two political parties working together and supporting each other during campaigns.

The presidents of Zapu, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa, and MDC, Professor Welshman Ncube, announced this during a joint Press conference at a hotel in Bulawayo yesterday.

Dr Dabengwa said discussions for the formation of the alliance started in December with the two parties forming technical teams to look into the modalities.

“We are meeting today at a historic event for the Matabeleland region and Zimbabwe at large to inform the nation and our supporters of our efforts as per demands by the people of the region to come together as Zapu and MDC in order to forge an alliance.

“We started our discussions as early as December last year but due to our busy schedules we could not be able to meet regularly. We agreed to work together as a united front,” he said.

“We also agreed that in any constituency or ward where one party has not fielded a candidate, the other party will mobilise its members and supporters to vote for the other party’s candidate.”

According to a joint Zapu and MDC communiqué, signed by Prof Ncube and Dr Dabengwa, the two parties agreed that they would not discuss or enter into a pact or coalition with any other party other than with each other.

“We have also pledged to back each other and should either of the parties win the election, we will form a coalition government,” said Dr Dabengwa.

Prof Ncube said the alliance was aimed at expanding the level of co-operation that would go beyond the election.

“In areas with candidates from both MDC and Zapu contesting, we will continue with conversation with each other and dialogue remains open in respect of all electoral seats from presidency to council.

“More crucially for the future of our country, the agreement goes beyond elections. Whatever the outcome we will work together and when engaging with another party we will do so jointly,” he said.

Zapu has fielded 50 candidates for the National Assembly seats in all the country’s 10 provinces while MDC has 200 candidates after 10 of its candidates were disqualified by the Nomination Court.

Prof Ncube said despite the alliance between his MDC and Zapu, it remains the individual candidate’s prerogative to voluntarily withdraw from the race and support the candidate from the other party.

Zapu candidate for the National Assembly seat in Bulawayo East, former Highlanders Football Club chairman, Mr Rodger Muhlwa formally withdrew his nomination papers to back MDC candidate, Mr David Coltart.

Prof Ncube said his MDC and Zapu agreed that in any constituency and ward, where one party has not fielded a candidate the party will mobilise its members and supporters to vote for the other party’s candidate.

Responding to questions from journalists, Dr Dabengwa also disclosed that he met MDC-T treasurer, Mr Roy Bennett, in South Africa and they also discussed the issue of a coalition.

He, however, said they did not agree on his coalition idea because it already had structures that were not in favour of Zapu.

“I have been having a lot of offers. Bennett tried and I think we did not understand each other and the coalition structures as he already had his which were not in our favour.

“Last week, MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai also approached Zapu and I did not request for anything and we did not agree on anything because the coalition seemed to be in favour of MDC-T as the presidency had already been pre-determined,” said Dr Dabengwa.

He said Mr Tsvangirai’s coalition approach in the past six days was overtaken by events.

Eyebrows were, however, raised as to why Dr Dabengwa was talking of Bennett as if he was separate from MDC-T amid reports a split was imminent in the party ahead of 2016.

The Chroncicle

By Mashudu Netsianda 

6 July 2013

MDC and Zapu have forged an alliance ahead of the 31 July harmonised elections in a move that will see candidates from the two political parties working together and supporting each other during campaigns. The presidents of Zapu, Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and MDC, Professor Welshman Ncube announced this during a joint Press Conference at a hotel in Bulawayo yesterday.

Dr Dabengwa said discussions for the formation of the alliance started in December with the two parties forming technical teams to look into the modalities.

“We are meeting today at a historic event for the Matabeleland region and Zimbabwe at large to inform the nation and our supporters of our efforts as per your demands by the people of the region to come together as Zapu and MDC in order to forge an alliance.

“We started our discussions as early as December last year but due to our busy schedules we could not be able to meet regularly. We agreed to work together as a united front,” he said.

“We also agreed that in any constituency or ward where one party has not fielded a candidate, the other party will mobilise its members and supporters to vote for the other party’s candidate.”

According to a joint Zapu and MDC communiqué, signed by Prof Ncube and Dr Dabengwa, the two parties agreed that they would not discuss or enter into a pact or coalition with any other party other than with each other.

“We have also pledged to back each other and should either of the parties win the election, we will form a coalition government,” said Dr Dabengwa.

Prof Ncube said the alliance was aimed at expanding the level of co-operation that would go beyond the election. “In areas with candidates from both MDC and Zapu contesting, we will continue with conversation with each other and dialogue remains open in respect of all electoral seats from presidency to council.

“More crucially for the future of our country, the agreement goes beyond elections whatever the outcome we will work together and when engaging with another party we will do so jointly,” he said.

Zapu has fielded 50 candidates for the National Assembly seats in all the country’s 10 provinces while MDC has 200 candidates after 10 of its candidates were disqualified by the Nomination Court.

Prof Ncube said despite the alliance between his MDC and Zapu, it remains the individual candidate’s prerogative to voluntarily withdraw from the race and support the candidate from the other party.

Zapu candidate for the National Assembly seat in Bulawayo East, former Highlanders Football Club chairman, Mr Rodger Muhlwa formally withdrew his nomination papers to back MDC candidate, Mr David Coltart.

Prof Ncube said his MDC and Zapu agreed that in any constituency and ward, where one party has not fielded a candidate the party will mobilise its members and supporters to vote for the other party’s candidate.

Responding to questions from journalists, Dr Dabengwa also disclosed that he met MDC-T treasurer, Mr Roy Bennet in South Africa and they also discussed the issue of a coalition.

He, however, said they did not agree on his coalition idea because it already had structures that were not in favour of Zapu.

“I have been having a lot of offers, Bennet tried and l think we did not understand each other and the coalition structures as Bennet already had his which were not in our favour.“Last week MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai also approached Zapu and l did not request for anything and we did not agree on anything because the coalition seemed to be in favour of MDC-T as the presidency had already been predetermined,” said Dr Dabengwa.

He said Mr Tsvangirai’s coalition approach in the past six days was overtaken by events.

The two parties said they were still consulting on the candidature for presidency in the coalition, although indications are that the parties’ leaders were likely to contest separately.

Daily News

By Jeffrey Muvundisi

6 July 2013

BULAWAYO – The MDC formation led by Welshman Ncube and Dumiso Dabengwa’s revived Zapu Friday forged a double-headed alliance to enhance chances of regional representation as the country hurtles towards watershed elections on July 31.

The partnership emerged  soon after MDC led by Morgan Tsvangirai forged an alliance with Mavambo /Dawn/ Kusile leader Simba Makoni and Zanu Ndonga leader Reketai Sengwayo in a bid to remove President Robert Mugabe from power.

Dabengwa hailed the alliance as a historic event for the region and Zimbabwe.

“We met to discuss the efforts we have been making to come together in order to forge some sort of alliance particularly towards the elections,” Dabengwa said.

The talks between Zapu and MDC started last December although they could not be finalised owing to Ncube’s busy schedule.

As part of the new arrangement, Ncube and Dabengwa will remain in charge of the alliance and various committees that are selected in terms of the constitution of the two parties.

“We are still separate parties but we are working towards coming together in full at some point in the future,” Ncube said.

Ncube pledged to work together with Dabengwa regardless of the election outcome.

“In those areas we have both fielded candidates, we have agreed that we will compete against each other peacefully as a model of what Zimbabwe should be and have peaceful co-existence,” Ncube said.

He said the parties had pledged to continue engaging each other at all contested levels with the view of minimising the number of MDC and Zapu candidates who are going to face each other in the election.

In a show of solidarity, Zapu Bulawayo East parliamentary candidate Rodger Muhlwa agreed to step down in support of MDC’s David Coltart.

Bulawayo 24

By Mafu Sithabile

5 July 2013

Rodger Muhlwa, the former Chairman of Highlanders and Zapu candidate for Bulawayo East constituency has formally withdrawn his nomination papers.

The withdrawal of Muhlwa’s candidature comes at a time when the MDC led by Welshman Ncube and ZAPU agreed to will back each other’s candidates where one does not have a candidate.

Muhlwa was to battle it out with David Coltart who will represent the MDC.

David Coltart immediately tweeted saying: “I would like to extend my thanks to Rodger Muhlwa the former Chairman of Highlanders and ZAPU candidate for Bulawayo East who has graciously decided to withdraw his nomination today. This was announced by the Presidents of ZAPU Dr Dumiso Dabengwa and the MDC Professor Welshman Ncube at the press conference announcing the alliance between ZAPU and the MDC.

“I am delighted by the alliance as I have many old friends in ZAPU from my days in the 1980s when I represented so many of its leaders who were then the targets of Zanu-PF oppression.

“Whilst obviously a wider coalition against tyranny remains an important objective this is a very positive step in the right direction,” concluded Coltart.

The remaining candidates are as follows,

Bulawayo East
Kelvin Muzidziwa                      ZANU -PF
Thabitha Khumalo                   MDC-T
David Coltart                           MDC
Tinashe Kambarami                INDIVIDUAL
Kelvin Kasesera                      ZIM PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT
Norman Kaviza                        MKD
Tapson Tivarere                      UMD

The Financial Gazette

By Clemence Manyukwe

4 July 2013

AS the chapter closed on the Seventh Parliament last week, it was clear that there were heroes and villains among Members of Parliament representing the people from across the political divide.

Sworn in on August 25, 2008 before its June 29 dissolution, expectations were that the Legislative Assembly would be hostile to President Robert Mugabe’s rule as it started its tenure when the nation was heavily polarised by a sham presidential run-off poll. At the time of its commencement, ZANU-PF had lost its legislative majority to both formations of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) for the first time since independence in 1980.

The signing of the Global Political Agreement (GPA) on September 15 — two months after the resumption of Parliament — saved the day for President Mugabe as it cleared the way for some form of collaboration between the governing parties through the consummation of the inclusive government in February 2009.

But as MPs performed their representative and oversight role, some left impressive and lasting footprints on Zimbabwe’s political terrain while the performance of others was a disservice to their constituencies and country.

Among the heroes  of the Seventh Parliament was obviously the late chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy Edward Chindori-Chininga who blew the whistle on the rot in the mining sector and how funds that should have been used to improve the quality of life of ordinary people were being stolen, especially in the diamond mining industry.

Following his death, Parliament released a statement which in part said:
“The late Hon Chindori-Chininga’s guidance and wisdom, incisive contributions, attention to detail, analytical skills and above all candidness will solely be missed in both the House of Assembly and the Portfolio Committee on Mines and Energy.”

Three MDC-T MPs also qualify to have their names on the hall of fame for legislators for devoting their time and talents in crafting Private Members’ Bills even though the powers-that-be blocked them.

MDC-T chief whip, Innocent Gonese (Mutare Central) proposed the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) Amendment Bill while Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo) proposed a Media Freedom and Transparency Bill.

Tangwara Matimba (Buhera Central) also came up with the Urban Councils Amendment Bill in a failed bid to curtail powers granted to the principal minister.

Defence Minister Emmerson Mnangagwa also deserves special mention for doing away with an entrenched culture within ZANU-PF of bunking Parliament’s Question and Answer sessions whenever issues that unsettle them are tabled.

Education Minister, David Coltart, the Senator for Khumalo in Bulawayo also did outstanding work to resuscitate the education sector that had crumbled before the formation of the inclusive government in February 2009.

His marshalling of donors saw the printing of millions of school textbooks for children. Coltart also brought some changes to the Zimbabwe Schools Examination Council, one of the most notorious State firms cited for the loss of credibility in the country’s national examinations.

Kudos also goes to Coltart’s party colleague, Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga as the only female GPA negotiator, proving to the world that women can also do it.

Finance Minister Tendai Biti completes the list of bureaucrats who brought a breath of fresh air to Parliament as he sponsored the highest number of Bills and had some rejected such as the Diamond Control Revenue Bill of 2011.

If all the Ministers had worked hard to revise some of the country’s archaic and repressive laws, the cry by Zimbabweans for greater liberties could have long been extinguished.

Co-Home Affairs Minister Theresa Makone of the MDC-T missed a golden opportunity to rein in on the police for some of their transgressions.

While in Parliament, Makone defended the police with so much vigour; overshadowing even her ZANU-PF co-Minister Ke-mbo Mohadi in praise-singing.

Among Makone’s infamous actions was her defence of the smashing of windscreens of public transport vehicles by police, a practice condemned by human rights lawyers.

It remains ironic that when she was busy defending the police, members of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) were meeting the top brass of the force to remind them of the need to observe human rights and work on a possible revision of their curriculum.

Still in Parliament, Justice and Legal Affairs Minister Patrick Chinamasa was among the legislative assembly’s villains as he chose to sit on the wrong side of history by blocking a number of reforms that were meant to give people greater freedoms.

Even though ZANU-PF lawmakers praised and passed the POSA Amendment Bill in the House of Assembly, the Minister blocked it in the Senate, while a Referendum Amendment Bill suffered stillbirth when he opposed the granting of Zimbabweans abroad the right to vote.

His Electoral Amendment Bill remains a piecemeal legislation as he also rejected calls to sideline the Registrar General’s Office from all electoral matters with a view to ceding the responsibility to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

Only two weeks ago, ZHRC expressed misgivings over some aspects of the ZHR Bill after Chinamasa shot down a number of proposals during debate.

In the same league with Chinamasa is Webster Shamu, the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity who branded the need for media reforms in a country with only one television station as illegal.

Shamu and Chinamasa became victims of a political disease suffered by so many who wield power in Africa – failure to grasp that oppressive laws sometimes come back to haunt their authors and that in the fullness of time, the will of the people always prevails.

Youth Minister Saviour Kasukuwere also occupies the Parliamentary villain bench after the majority of his regulations to do with the youth and indigenisation were deemed to be unconstitutional by the Parliamentary Legal Committee.

Sitting with him on the bench is Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo. Instead of coming to the rescue of residents who are not getting value for their money from mostly MDC-T-ed municipalities where corruption is rampant, Chombo made a number of questionable decisions that exacerbated the situation.

 For example, when the MDC-T fired 23 Chitungwiza councillors on grounds of milking the municipality, he refused to relieve them of their duties, only to do so much later in a classic case of shutting the stable door when the horse has already bolted.

The Comptroller and Auditor General also recommended that an investigation be conducted on obscene allowances Chombo’s appointed commissions were receiving.

Mines Minister Obert Mpofu, his deputy Gift Chimanikire and the latter’s predecessor Murisi Zwizwai remain all time villains for failing to ensure that diamond revenues are used for the greater good of Zimbabwe. They also failed to rein in some of the diamond mining firms in Chiadzwa operating like modern day imperialists, displaying gross insensitivity towards the people of Manicaland.

One such firm is Anjin which wants to take over Meikles Park to build a hotel despite the fact that the place has so much sentimental value to the people of Manicaland in as much as Tiananmen Square is to the Chinese or Madison Square is to the Americans.

The Chronicle

4 July 2013

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Nketa Constituency
Eliphas Mashaba                   ZANU-PF
Phelela Masuku                      MDC-T
Charles Mpofu                         MDC
Joel Dube                                  AKE
Skhumbuzo Bongani Dube   ZAPU –FP
Clark Mpofu                             ZAPU

Nkulumane
David Ndlovu                           ZANU –PF
Thamsanqa Mahlangu         MDC-T
Matshobana Ncube                MDC
Memorial Dube                       ZAPU
Nkosana Mathe                      MKD
Rhoda Ncube                           FZC
Hapiness Mthetwa                ZANU NDONGA

Pelandaba –Mpopoma
Joseph Tshuma                           ZANU-PF
Bekithemba Nyathi                     MDC-T
Duduzile Dube                              MDC
James Katso                                  FZC
Samuel Sandla Khumalo           INDIVIDUAL
Vusumuzi Joseph Mabhikwa   INDIVIDUAL
Strike Mkandla                             ZAPU
Thamsanqa Jealous Ndlovu     INDIVIDUAL
Chad Sakala                                  ZAPU- FP
Ephraim Thamsanqa Zhou       AKE

Bulawayo East
Kelvin Muzidziwa                    ZANU -PF
Thabitha Khumalo                  MDC-T
David Coltart                             MDC
Tinashe Kambarami                INDIVIDUAL
Kelvin Kasesera                        ZIM PATRIOTIC MOVEMENT
Norman Kaviza                        MKD
Stanley Moyo                             INDIVIDUAL
Muhlwa Roger                          ZAPU
Tapson Tivarere                       UMD

Bulawayo Central
Mlungisi Moyo                           ZANU-PF
Dorcas Sibanda                          MDC-T
Sibongile Maphosa                   MDC
Maidza Chapwanya                  MKD
Linda Dube                                  AKE
Angirayi Selwin Kwembeya    UNITED MOVEMENT FOR ONE CAUSE
Clemency Sibanda                     ZAPU

News Day

By News Day Reporter

2 July 2013

PARENTS and the Progressive Teachers’ Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) have accused schools of using entrance tests as a fundraising platform through interviewing unreasonably more students than can be accommodated.

Schools around the country were charging between $20 and $200 for pupils to go through Form One and Grade One selection processes.

PTUZ Secretary-General Raymond Majongwe said it was fraudulent that schools were interviewing a lot more pupils than necessary.

“It is purely unfortunate that processes have taken this particular route. It’s unfortunate that schools have now taken to acting in this manner,” Majongwe said.

“You can have 50 places and yet 300 children will sit for the entrance exam. This is the inherent weakness of having so many centres of power.  This money ultimately is never accounted for and it’s unfair on the parents.”

Parents said the move was unfair as most children normally sat for more than one entrance exam before they secured a place.

“Schools are taking entrance fees as a fundraising activity because you find that some schools invite more than double the number of pupils required for the available places,” Primrose Guta, a parent, said.

“Where does this money go? It is very unfair because you go to a number of schools before you get accepted so you can imagine how much parents have to pay before securing a place.”

Other parents said where possible, there should be measures put in place to curb such behaviour at schools so that parents were not exposed to daylight robbery.

Education minister David Coltart said schools should desist from fleecing parents by charging exorbitant entrance test fees for prospective pupils.

“We are not against entrance fees per se, but schools must never use this as a fundraising activity. If a school has entrance tests it can’t have thousands of people sitting for 60 places. That will be unfair to parents,” Coltart said.

“The charge must be reasonable and it must be in line with the actual costs of running those entrance tests.”

He said schools could not unilaterally increase entrance fees without the consent of parents.

“Schools are not entitled to unilaterally increase entrance fees. They have to bring these issues to the parent body and they will deliberate on whether there is need to raise the fees,” he said.

“If schools are unilaterally raising fees parents can take this up with the school’s parent-teacher body or take it up with the district body.”

News Day 

News Day Reporter 

2 July 2013

LOCAL coaches were back in class last week for the Caf B Licence – an intensive programme that lasted one week instead of the usual 14 days.

Knowledge is power, so they say, and local coaches, who have been content with level this and level that type of courses, must aim bigger and empower themselves as far as football education is concerned.

At least 16 coaches attended the course which involved practical, theory, oral presentations and laws of the game.

The Caf instructor Bhekisisa Mkhonta from Swaziland was impressed with the locals and we hope every participant will get the 60% mark to get their certificates.

Zifa has stated that unlicensed coaches will not be allowed to sit on any technical bench in Zimbabwe and we have seen Premiership clubs Black Rhinos and Tripple B being affected by that move, meaning somebody still does not recognise the importance of these courses.

Going forward, we would like to see even some of those coaching outside the country  — like two-time Botswana-based title winning coach Madinda Ndlovu, Rodwell Dhlakama, Paul Moyo, Barry Daka and Max Malume Moyo also taking part.

We are equally impressed with the young crop of coaches, who included Mkhuphali Masuku, Philani Mabhena, Nesbert Saruchera, Dumaza Dube and Tonderayi Ndiraya being part of the class at Conway College last week.

Now, Zifa must even go further to schools under the Nash and Naph banner and advise those coaches to further their level of education at grassroots level.

We hope Zifa and everybody concerned, especially technical director Nelson Matongorere, who will monitor the coaches’ progress, will take these courses seriously.

The next level after this and more importantly after two years of practice will be the Caf A Licence — the highest on the continent.

And still with Zifa, the national team will be leaving for Zambia next week for the Cosafa Castle Cup finals where they kick off their campaign in the quarter-final stage against Malawi. At least we don’t foresee any problems here as the sponsors will take care of the transport and accommodation for the teams.

After this, the national team will travel to Mauritius for the first leg of the African Nations Championships (Chan) and if they sail through there will be further trips to either Botswana or Zambia, who are also playing in the qualifying rounds.

These games will be played in late July and August, meaning there is ample time to put together logistics in place and avoid a repeat of the Guinea nightmare. There is nothing new in these fixtures; they were prepared a long time ago and their re-adjustment has simply given Zifa even more time.

Excuses will not be tolerated this time around and with the Confederations Cup finally over, Zifa president Cuthbert Dube will be back in the country to make sure that things move in the same direction, rather than leaving everything to the secretariat and the Zimbabwe Football Trust.

While Sports minister David Coltart might lend an ear to Zifa, chances are the ministry’s coffers are empty as far as football is concerned. This then leaves the corporate world — if they still have an interest — to assist Zifa.

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 “renegade”, 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.