Farirai Madhumbe | In a test of democracy in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa two strong females, lawyer Jessie Majome and scientist Joan Mamombe will battle it out in the party Primary elections in Harare West.

Majome is a former deputy minister for Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and is being challenged by 25 year old Mamombe a scientist and human rights activist who holds a Bsc in Biotechnology from the Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) and an Msc in Genetic Manipulation and molecular cell biology from the University of Sussex UK.

Her research focused on cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. If elected Mamombe would be the first female youngest MP after Chamisa a male who was youngest at 25 several years ago.

Efforts by the Chamisa led National Executive committee to protect sitting MPs were futile as they were accused of dictatorship, resulting in all constituencies being open for competition leading to the current tussle in Harare West.

Chamisa’s own close allies Chalton Hwende and Shakespear Mukori are battling it out in Kuwadzana East, the seat left vacant after the youthful leader was elevated to President of the MDC.

When contacted for comment on the Harare West saga which has had tongues wagging with insunuations that Chamisa was behind Mamombe an MDC source told ZimEye, ” That is not true at all. The primaries will decide the candidate, the President is nowhere near the issue.”

Responding to reports that Majome was afraid of being attacked by “Chamisa’s thugs” the Thokozani Khupe ‘way’, the source said, ” that is hogwash, what I can tell you my sister is that this time round this is a tough battle beyond the President’s control, his own friends are seeing red. How can he then impose in one constituency?”

The MDC strategy according to the source is to get the candidates in the contentious areas to sit and talk, for instance in Harare West, Majome and Mamombe will go through what the party terms “consensus building”, this will involve identifying another constituency for either of the women. Failure of this will result in primary elections.

The source said, “what would be fair is that if either of them is moved then they should not be subjected to a primary election. But again this is politics.”

The youth quota has particulary given the party a headache as the younger members have identified constituencies including those held by party heavy weights including outspoken MP James Maridadi, who is also facing a tough challenge.

“What has added fuel to the fire is that the party has resolved to reserve 20 percent of all seats to youths and 50 percent to women, which has created battles of titanic proportions in many constituencies where rookies are taking on sitting MPs and other bigwigs in the national standing committee,” a senior party official told the Daily News.

Contacted for comment by the paper women’s assembly chairperson Lynette Karenyi-Kore said while the party was still to decide who among its cadres would contest where, robust campaigns had indeed kicked off in constituencies coveted by men.

“But because we, as women, were given 50 percent of all seats by the party, we are very happy with that. However, we are still to decide the constituencies that we will target,” she said.

Another battle of bigwigs is also set for Zengeza West constituency in Chitungwiza, where former St Mary’s MP Job Sikhala will take on incumbent Simon Chidhakwa.

But there is another candidate eyeing the same constituency — former Chitungwiza deputy mayor Rangarirai Mutingwende, who is also the provincial organising secretary for Chitungwiza.

Still, Sikhala expressed confidence in an interview with the Daily News that he would prevail over his competitors, as well as in the national elections themselves.

“I have chosen Zengeza West after I was persuaded to stand by residents in that constituency, but I haven’t yet started campaigning for the primary elections because there is no reason to,” Sikhala said, in what came across as a dig at his rivals.

“Being seen canvassing for votes for primary elections is a sign of being not wanted by the people. People know what they want and it shall be shown by the statement they will make on the day of the primary elections.

“The people of Zengeza West know what they want. They will speak whether it is in broad daylight or at night. They are organising themselves as we speak and the vibration is already there … I am preparing for the general elections not primary elections,” Sikhala said.

Youth Assembly secretary-general, Lovemore Chinoputsa, told the Daily News that some of the constituencies which were being targeted by youths include Epworth, Mbare, Mpopoma, Hwange West, Chiwundura, Mhondoro Ngezi, Bikita West, Gutu South, Zaka Central, Highfield West, Buhera Central and Gweru Urban which is currently held by former deputy Local Government minister Sesel Zvidzai.

In Chitungwiza South, lawyer Maxwell Mavhunga is said to be fancying his chances against sitting MP Canisio Makarau, Delma Kariati and Innocent Gwanzura — while in Chitungwiza North it will be a battle between businessman Asani Tembo and sitting MP Godfrey Sithole.

Former Chitungwiza provincial chairperson Alexei Musundire’s Zengeza East seat is being coveted by former MP for the area, Goodrich Chimbaira, as well as by a provincial official, Taurai Shenje.

Meanwhile, Sikhala’s former constituency which is currently being held by his ally Unganai Tarusenga, will be another battleground — with former councillor Adam Puzo having expressed interest in contesting it.

In Harare’s Mabvuku constituency, the battle will be between incumbent James Maridadi and James Chidhakwa, a youth assembly member. Other seating MPs whose constituencies will be contested include Magwegwe legislator Anele Ndebele who will slug it out with Felix Mafa.

But some party bigwigs — including vice president Elias Mudzuri (Warren Park), deputy national organising secretary Amos Chibaya (Mkoba), Theresa Makone (Hatcliffe), Douglas Mwonzora (Nyanga North), deputy national chairperson Morgen Komichi (Midlands Senatorial post) among others — will stand uncontested.

However, a senior party official was quick to warn that some of the aspiring candidates who have submitted their CVs for consideration could be disqualified, as they have not been in the party for the five years that is required for them to qualify.

“Unless as aspiring candidates possess certain attributes that the party considers as adding value, they may be disappointed. But in some cases the national council may choose to waive some of the requirements and allow them to contest,” the national standing committee member said.