One of the candidates who was contesting the ZANU PF Mashonaland West Provincial chairmanship, Abia Mujere, has withdrawn his candidature, less than 24 hours before voting takes place.
Mujere’s withdrawal from the race comes about a week after the ZANU PF Politburo disqualified businessman James Makamba from contesting and this leaves incumbent chairperson Kazembe Kazembe and businessman Tafadzwa Musarara as the frontrunners.
In a statement seen by the ZBC News, that was addressed to the elections directorate, Mujere announced his withdrawal from contesting for the provincial post. He, however, did not state why he was pulling out of the race. The statement read in part:
I Abia Mujere hereby write to withdraw my candidature in the forthcoming Provincial Elections in Mashonaland West from contesting as Provincial Chairman on this day.
ZANU PF confirmed Mujere’s voluntary withdrawal from the race and advised voters to take note. The party said:
The National Spokesperson of the Party having confirmed with the National Secretary of the Commissariat, Cde M Bimha wishes to announce to the media and Mashonaland West Administrative Districts and the entire provincial electorate in particular that Cde Abia Mujeri, the former Chairman (Acting) of the Province has voluntarily withdrawn his candidature.
Accordingly, he is no longer a candidate for the position of Chairman of the Province. The relevant voting masses of the Party are advised to take note.
In a related development, Ozias Bvute was reportedly disqualified from contesting for the position of Chairman of Mashonaland East Province.
