Zimbabwe’s ruling party, Zanu PF, has disqualified a former member of parliament, Dexter Nduna, from contesting in the primary elections for the Chegutu West constituency. Nduna, who is known for his outspoken and sometimes violent behavior, was hoping to get another chance to represent the party in the upcoming by-elections scheduled for February 3, 2024.
However, his bid was thwarted by the party’s politburo, which reportedly removed his curriculum vitae from the list of aspiring candidates. Nduna told NewZimbabwe that he was not given any reason for his disqualification and that he would appeal the decision.
“I am told that my CV for aspiring MPs, so that I go into the primary election, was removed. So I have been told to appeal,” he said.
Nduna, who served as the Chegutu West MP from 2013 to 2023, lost his seat after a court ruling nullified his victory in the August 23, 2023 general election. He was accused of electoral fraud and violence by his rival, Gift Konjana of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC), a new opposition party that emerged as a formidable force in the last polls.
Nduna’s political career has been marred by controversy and scandal. In 2019, he was caught on camera threatening to shoot another MP, Temba Mliswa, during a heated parliamentary debate. He later claimed that he had killed many people during his time as a soldier and that he was not afraid of anyone.
In 2020, he was arrested for allegedly stealing gold ore from a mine in Chegutu. He was also accused of leading a gang of thugs that terrorized and assaulted his opponents and critics. He denied all the charges and blamed his enemies for trying to tarnish his image.
Nduna’s disqualification leaves three candidates to battle for the Zanu PF ticket in the Chegutu West primary election: Shaky Timburwa, Brian Chinyama and Timothy Masviba. Another aspirant, Last Farai Chigavazira, withdrew from the race under unclear circumstances.
The winner of the primary election will face Konjana of the CCC, who is confident of winning the seat that he claims was stolen from him in 2023. Konjana said he was not intimidated by Zanu PF’s tactics and that he had the support of the people of Chegutu West.
“I am ready to face any candidate from Zanu PF. They can disqualify or qualify anyone they want, but they cannot stop the will of the people. The people of Chegutu West know who their true representative is and they will vote for me,” he said.
The Chegutu West by-election is one of the three parliamentary and three local government by-elections that will be held on February 3, 2024. The by-elections are seen as a test of the popularity and credibility of the ruling party and the opposition parties ahead of the next general election in 2028.
The by-elections are also an opportunity for the people of Zimbabwe to exercise their democratic right and choose their leaders in a free and fair manner. Despite the challenges and uncertainties facing the country, many Zimbabweans are hopeful that their voices will be heard and that their votes will count.
