ZBC chief correspondent Reuben Barwe has been elected secretary for Information and Publicity in Makoni following Zanu PF District Coordinating Committee (DCC) elections.
ZBC is a state broadcaster which has also come under fire for alleged biased partisan reporting prompting some to call for in-depth media reforms.
Recently, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) said it had initiated disciplinary measures against Harare Civil Magistrates Court’s Milton Serima for unconstitutionally standing for election in the Zanu PF DCC in Mt Darwin.
Barwe’s victory comes when the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has said it was investigating magistrate Milton Serima after it emerged that he was contesting in ZANU PF’s District Coordinating Committee elections in Mt Darwin.
Another public office holder, Gweru prosecutor, Namatirai Chipere, subsequently resigned after reports which suggested that he started campaigning for a spot in the Zanu PF DCCs.
The Zimbabwean constitution prohibits the participation of public office holders in political affairs.
Gweru prosecutor Namatirai Chipere, was also found to have strayed after he started campaigning for a spot in the Zanu PF DCCs. He subsequently resigned.
The Constitution prohibits judicial service officials from taking part in political activities.
Zanu PF held DCC elections as part of its restructuring exercise which it hopes will enhance coordination of the party activities ahead of 2023 elections.
Zanu PF national chairperson Oppah Muchinguri said the party would investigate “the complaints.”
“The elections were affected by a few administrative and logistical challenges and the party has taken note of those challenges and we are putting in place corrective measures so that we do not experience this in the future. The situation was also compounded by incessant rains which damaged roads and made some polling stations inaccessible,” she said.
MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzai Mahere condemned the move by Barwe to contest ZANU PF elections.
Hopewell Chinono also condemned the move.