By Wezhira Munya
CCC Masvingo West Ward 2 aspiring councillor, Rocky Kamuzonda, withdrew his candidature to contest as an independent candidate. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) aspiring councillor, Mr. Rocky Kamuzonda, withdrew his candidature at ZEC Masvingo Provincial offices. Kamuzondo had filed his papers for nomination as an independent candidate.
Councillor Kamuzondo is the current (CCC) Masvingo West Ward 2 councillor. He won this seat in the 2022 by-elections after a recall by Mr. Mwonzora of the then-seating MDC Alliance councillor, Councillor Vhembo. However, in 2023, Councillor Kamuzonda was not the preferred (CCC) candidate after the new (CCC) candidate selection process. Ms. Shantel Chiwara will represent (CCC) in the forthcoming harmonized elections.
As alluded to, Kamuzonda on the 21st of June 2023 filed his nomination papers to contest as an independent councillor. After serious negotiations with Masvingo (CCC) party leadership, Councillor Kamuzonda decided to withdraw his candidature.
“Indeed, I have finally withdrawn my candidature at (ZEC) offices. I have taken heed of the party’s advice. I fully support President Nelson Chamisa and all party deployees in the forthcoming harmonized elections,” Kamuzonda said.
(CCC) Masvingo West Ward 2 also managed to deal with the issue of double candidates after Advocate Frank Chirairo withdrew his candidature. The withdrawal of (CCC) double and independent candidates will prevent the issue of dividing (CCC) votes.
In 2018, the MDC Alliance Masvingo province lost many wards and constituencies due to double candidates, independent candidates, and disunity. Therefore, unity in 2023 will make CCC win harmonized elections.
The youthful Ms. Shantel Chiwara will represent (CCC) Masvingo West Ward 2 in the forthcoming harmonized elections. On the other hand, Zanu PF is represented by Mr. Hwata. Zanu PF candidate Mr. Hwata has a well-documented track record of losing elections. In other words, Hwata has been a loser all his life. In this regard, after (CCC) managed to solve issues around double and independent candidates, Hwata will lose again.
Masvingo West Ward 2 is in an urban setup and has around 5,000-plus voters. This ward has a record of always voting for the opposition party in large numbers. Ward 2 will have a bearing on who wins Masvingo West constituency. It determines who will win the parliamentary seat between (CCC) candidate Mr. Gasva and Zanu PF candidate Mr. Chadzamira.
In the 2018 harmonized elections, President Nelson Chamisa defeated Zanu PF candidate Emmerson Mnangagwa in Masvingo West Ward 2.
