Southern Eye
By Nqobani Ndlovu
21 June 2013
TWO prominent Bulawayo lawyers have forwarded their names for nomination as MDC candidates for the party’s primaries expected to be concluded at the weekend.
Sindiso Mazibisa of Cheda and Partners and Matshobana Ncube of Phulu and Ncube are set to slug it out with other prospective candidates in primary elections for the Welshman Ncube-led MDC, amid indications that the consensus method had failed in their coveted constituencies.
Mazibisa has expressed interest in the Magwegwe constituency, where he will face off with Oscar Dube.
Ncube on the other hand will do battle with Ngwalo Nyathi and a candidate only referred to as Dube.
MDC spokesman Nhlanhla Dube will on the other hand battle it out with Dingulwazi Masuku for the Lobengula-Njube constituency.
“If we get venues, the primaries will go ahead at the weekend. Everything is dependent on venues,†MDC provincial spokesman Edwin Ndlovu said.
Meanwhile, Education minister David Coltart — Bulawayo East Senator — has been spared the agony of going through primary elections after he was nominated unopposed.
Coltart is one of four party officials that did not go through the primary elections to be selected to represent the MDC in the upcoming elections.
Coltart has been confirmed together with Sibongile Maphosa, the MDC secretary for the women’s assembly (Bulawayo Central) while Thabile Ndlovu, a district chairperson in Makokoba and councillor Israel Mabaleka, were selected to represent Makokoaba and Luveve constituencies respectively.
The MDC is using a consensus process in its candidate selection system where aspiring legislators meet to discuss among themselves and agree on who will represent the party in the elections.
Where candidates fail to agree on who will represent a constituency, primaries are held.
Primary elections have so far been held in five constituencies.
Duduzile Dube, a national executive member, won primary elections to represent the MDC in Mpopoma-Pelandaba, while Loyisa Ncube a district executive member won in Pumula, Christabel Sibanda, an executive member in the women’s assembly (Emakhandeni-Entumbane), Pastor Esnart Bulayani an organiser in the women’s assembly (Bulawayo South) and
Alderman Charles Mpofu won primaries to represent the party in Nketa.