By Talent Gondo| Zanu PF’s Mazowe west constituency youths have petitioned their party’s national political commissar Engelbert Rugeje over the alleged manipulation of the electorate by the co-opted Zanu PF Mashonaland Central chairman Kazembe Kazembe ahead of the house of assembly primary elections slated for this weekend.
Kazembe, who is also the Sports, Arts and Recreation minister is vying for Mazowe West constituency in the forthcoming elections.
He is contesting against six other party members in the primaries.
In a letter dated 24 April 2018 and directed to the Chairperson of Zanu PF’s Elections Commission, the youths appealed to the party’s National Political Commissar, Engelbert Rugeje to immediately intervene and stop Kazembe from manipulating the voters’ roll.
“We are appealing to the NPC to interdict this behaviour as it is likely to lead to violence,” said the youths in a letter in ZimEye’s possession.
Contacted for comment, minister Kazembe dismissed the allegations arguing that those raising these issues were pushing the agenda of those who were in the election race.
“Ane bhora ndiye anomakwa meaning the one with the ball is the one who is mostly tackled,” said Kazembe, adding that these unfounded allegations were being raised by those contending for the National Assembly seat in the primaries.
“The youths who are purporting to petition the NPC have been bought. I can not do what they are alleging, where do I get the time to do that? I was born and bred in Mazowe West and the people will speak and endorse the candidate of their choice,” said Kazembe.
In their petition, the youths alleged that Kazembe was giving orders to the party’s district officials and party employees so that they could all mobilise for him.
“Since Kazembe is now a candidate, he must cease during the course of this short campaign period to give orders to district officials and party employees.
“He is currently force marching entire party systems to work for him,” read the letter.
Kazembe’s henchman only identified as one Cde Muwandi was also reportedly intimidating other candidates in the constituency.
“Cde Muwandi and his militia are trailing other candidates as they move into the district on their campaigns instilling fear in the process,” alleged the youths.
The youths called on the party’s leadership to display cell sheets for their constituency citing gross manipulation of the voters’ roll for the upcoming primaries.
“The cell sheets must be laid for inspection by cell chairpersons so that all party members across the constituency ensure that their names are on the register before the elections,” said the youths.
The youths pleaded with the NPC to supervise the elections to ensure that the most popular candidate won.
“His Excellency, the president said that the voice of the people is the voice of God, we plead with you Cde NPC to come down and personally supervise this election so that the voice of the people of Mazowe West is heard as it will be the Voice of God,” read the letter.
Kazembe was elected into parliament in July 2013 to represent Mazowe west constituency in the National Assembly.
In the upcoming primary elections, he is set to battle it out with Anastencia Mazikana, Chrispen Makure, Richard Chirongwe, Constance Sabau, Tafadzwa Musarara and Christopher Makwezva.