Chiyangwa’s Ally Wins Mash West Top Post

Walter Chidhakwa who was the dark horse had 198 votes than Marumahoko who was distant third.

Results announced at a press conference confirmed Mafa scored 1255 while Chidhakwa had 711, Marumahoko got 513 and Moffat Marashwa only managed 52 votes.

Mafa who was expelled last year had to seek recourse through the party disciplinary hearing led by national chairman Simon Khaya Moyo that cleared him of any wrong doing to contest the elections that were aborted on three occasions in Banket, Seleous and Chinhoyi last year.

The elections held at voting centres were marred by delays and divisions within the party as some
youths in Karoi are accused of “crossing the floor and dumped” Marumahoko at the eleventh hour after they were enticed by Hurungwe East MP Sarah Mahoko who belonged to Mafa camp as cracks widen in the former ruling party.

Party insiders claim that Mafa had the support of former chairman Phillip Chiyangwa’s and Central Committee member Jimayi Mudhuviri who backed him financially during his campaign.

The flamboyant businessman’s candidature was blocked by President Robert Mugabe himself ahead of October elections last year due to espionage charges.

“It’s mostly likely that Mafa will accommodate the youthful candidates as Marumahoko camp preferred the old guard”, said a provincial coordinating committee member who declined to be named.

The just ended elections exposed divisions within the party ahead of possible elections this year.