SW Radio Africa (London)
Tichaona Sibanda
19 February 2008
Zanu-PF leader Robert Mugabe is facing a battle for the soul of his ruling party, as senior members openly rebelled against him and filed their nomination papers as independent candidates last week Friday.
Disunity in the ruling party boiled over last week, when probably for the first time since independence dozens of Zanu-PF candidates filed their nomination papers to compete against each other in certain constituencies, some of them in strongholds of the party.
Those who registered to compete against fellow party members did so after the party failed to resolve widespread disputes during its primary elections. The rows over the conduct of the primaries saw at least three ruling party aspiring candidates winning court orders against their losses.
In Masvingo, Central House of Assembly constituency Eddison
Zvobgo (Jnr) successfully filed his nomination papers and will fight it out against the official party candidate, Edmund Mhere.
Another notable seat where two ruling party candidates will fight against each other is the Masvingo senatorial seat, where veteran politician, Dzikamai Mavhaire is pitted against Maina Mandava, the official Zanu - PF candidate.
Finance Minister Samuel Mumbengegwi registered as a Zanu-PF candidate to challenge Josaya Hungwe for the Chivi-Mwenezi senatorial seat. In addition, Tranos Huruva and Clifford Mumbengegwi, both registered as Zanu-PF candidates for the Chivi North House of Assembly seat in Masvingo.
In Manicaland's Makoni West Nation Madongorere, an ex-CIO operative and a former mayoral candidate for Harare, registered as a Zanu-PF candidate although the party had endorsed Joseph Made as the official party candidate for the House of Assembly seat. Bongayi Nemayire and Sheila Mahere will also contest on a Zanu-PF ticket in the Makoni North House of Assembly seat.
Political analyst Isaac Dziya said the ruling party has been severely shaken by internal divisions and things have been simmering for the past six months.
'I am not surprised at these recent events because people are tired of the dictatorship. The effects of the economic situation do not cushion even the die hard supporters of Mugabe. Everyone is suffering just like everyone else in the country and this includes Zanu-PF supporters right across the country,' Dziya said.
Former finance minister Simba Makoni started the ball rolling when he announced that he was standing as an independent presidential candidate. He has since been expelled from the party. It's expected all those who have defied party rules, in effect registering two candidates in one constituency, will also face expulsion.
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