By Talent Gondo| Harare West Member of Parliament, Jessie Majome’s exit from the party’s primary elections against rival Joana Mamombe has seen party stalwarts trading insults with high indications of a split vote come election day.
Rival camps have since emerged with those supporting Majome calling on the party to be transparent on candidate selection and adherence to party guidelines while those supporting Mamombe argue that Majome should go through primary elections just like most aspiring party cadres.
Majome revealed that she was pulling out of the primary election race over “unfair and inconsistencies to party electoral guidelines”.
“I cannot do this with a clear conscience. There is selective application of what we agreed as a party on election guidelines,” she said.
Harare West citizens took to the social media expressing their feelings over Majome’s exit from the primary elections race.
“Time to vote for capacity, consistency, integrity and humble leadership jn Harare West. Not for a party but leadership,” said Harare Westerner Rashweart Mukundu.
Simeon Mawanza, another Harare Westerner said he would make personal donation to campaign for Majome adding that he would mobilise a team to assist in this task.
“How can such a hard working MP be wasted? She deserves to be in parliament standing up for the things that matter in ordinary people’s lives. #Tangatakambonyarara zvedu. Makuda kuti tiite #OperationRestoreMRTLegacy man he,” he said.
Another Harare West resident said it was sad to lose such a gifted person.
“Very sad indeed to hear that she has withdrawn driving put gifted people from the party,” said Simukai Rinhi.
Ronald Tapfuma Jongwe said Majome had his vote regardless of which political outfit she represented.
“I can say without equivocation Jessie has my vote a y day and in whatever jacket she comes in. I am Team Wamba all the way but on this one I refuse to follow blindly I follow capacity, results and dedication, leadership and in Jessie I see those virtues.Give us a signal Jessie,” said Jongwe.
Ady Munava and Solomon Swans urged Jessie to contest as an independent pledging their support to her.
Munya Mutetwa said he would rather go and braai than vote for any other candidate besides Majome.
MDC T Deputy Treasurer, Charlton Hwende, however said citizens should respect Majome’s rights to pull out of the race saying she had exercised her rights.
“She has exercised her right, let’s respect her,” said Hwende.
Responding to news that Majome had pulled out of the primaries, aspiring legislator for Harare West, Joanna Mamombe said she had so much respect for Majome and was saddened by those purporting that her candidature was being pushed by senior politicians within the party.
Denford Ngadziore said out of the 3 000 prospective voters from Harare West, Majome would garner less than 300 votes.
“Fact.Out of the 3 000 voters from Westlea, Westgate and Redroofs…….Majome would not get 300 votes,” said Ngadziore.