Zanu PF Provincial chairperson for Mashonaland Central, Kazembe Kazembe has come under fire from party members who are accusing him of manipulating the electorate and the voters’ roll to work in his favour in the party’s primary elections set for this weekend.
In a petition sent to Zanu PF National Political Commissar, Engelbert Rugeje on Tuesday, Mazowe West constituency youths said Kazembe was removing names of party members deemed opposed to his bid to stand as the ruling party’s house of assembly candidate for the area.
“We regret to bring to your attention the unfortunate conduct of our co-opted provincial chairperson, Cde Kazembe who is trying to manipulate the cell sheets by removing persons who he deems to support other candidates,” noted the youths in their petition to Rugeje.
They called on the party to stop Kazembe from giving orders to district officials until primary elections were over adding that they were convinced he was taking advantage of his opponents.
“Since Cde Kazembe 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 marshalling entire party system to work for him,” noted the petition.
They warned Rugeje that if Kazembe was not reigned in, things would spill out of hand leading to violence.
Reached for comment, Kazembe accused other contesting candidates of sponsoring youth members adding that his bid was unstoppable as he grew up in Mazowe West.
“Those youths were paid to write to NPC. I was born and bred in Mazowe West and the people will speak and endorse the candidate of their choice,” said Kazembe.
Rugeje could not be reached for comment as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Kazembe will on Saturday battle it out against five other candidates namely Anastencia Mazikana, Chrispen Makure, Richard Chirongwe, Constance Sabau, Harare businessman Tafadzwa Musarara and Christopher Makwezva.
