Former Minister Sydney Sekeramayi once tipped to take over from former President Robert Mugabe is leading Zanu PF’s Campaign in Mashonaland East province.

Sekeramayi lost his ministerial post after the November coup which ousted Mugabe, a former close ally, to now join President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Campaign team.

The state media reports that Zanu PF Mashonaland East has called on its members to be disciplined during the coming primary elections set for early next month.

Zanu PF Politburo members; Sekeramayi and Marble Chinomona told members of the Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) in Marondera that members should conduct themselves well and in line with party principles during the primary elections and not cause divisions.

“I urge those who thrive on gossiping which I call political foot and mouth disease to avoid causing divisions in the party and allow the primary elections to be conducted peacefully,” said Dr Sekeramayi.

“We don’t expect members to be divided during the primary elections, we expect you to conduct yourselves in a mature way,” Chinomona weighed in.

Zanu PF Mashonaland East Provincial Chairperson, Joel Biggie Matiza explained the rules and regulations governing the conduct of primary elections.

“Any member who does not abide by the rules and regulations governing the primary elections risk being disqualified,” he said.

Mashonaland East Province is set to hold inter-district meetings this Tuesday ahead of submission of curricula vitae by aspiring candidates on Wednesday.