Some senior ZANU PF officials in Mashonaland Central Province have vowed not to recognise Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe’s controversial re-election as chairperson last week, even if the Politburo endorses his victory.
Kazembe defeated businessman Tafadzwa Musarara amid reports of violence and massive rigging.
Some party officials described the election as a sham after widespread reports of poll anomalies were noted in Mbire and Muzarabani, two of the constituencies that gave Kazembe victory.
A ZANU PF official who spoke to NewZimbabwe.com said they expect an election re-run especially in Mbire, Guruve, and Muzarabani where much of the rigging allegedly took place. Said the official:
I was part of the election officials at the provincial level. Kazembe not only cheated but used violence and intimidation as well and it will be a big mistake if the Politburo endorses that election result.
The battle is not over yet. We are expecting elections to be re-done, especially in Mbire, Guruve, and Muzabani where much of the cheating happened.
If KK is to be declared winner, it will be the first time for someone in Mash Central to win Mazowe and Mt Darwin and still lose the election.
Do you know Kazembe won just four out of 16 constituencies? How on earth can he be our legitimate chairman.
Meanwhile, earlier this week, ZANU PF national political commissar Mike Bimha said that there was no winner yet in the election.
Bimha said the Politburo, the party’s highest decision-making organ outside congress, was still in the process of “verifying” the results before winners can be announced.
Losing candidates in several provinces that include Harare, Manicaland, and Mashonaland East lodged appeals against the results.