Youthful businessman Pande to lock horns with Masvingo deputy mayor

Masvingo- IN what is arguably political ‘bloodiest’ primary election in Masvingo province youthful businessman, James Pande is set to lock horns with land developer, Wellington Mahwende who is also Masvingo city deputy mayor in Masvingo Urban Constituency.

The two are battling to represent Zanu PF in the constituency-which has been the rock bed of the opposition party- in national elections slated by August this year.

Pande who is a South African based businessman but was born and bred in the ancient city, said he was confident of victory.
“Yes…I am ready for the elections and I am confident that I will represent my party in Masvingo Urban,”said Pande.

“The advantage I have is that I was born and bred here and I am well known with the youths,”said Pande.
Mahwende who is a property developer in Victoria Ranch suburb could not be reached for a comment but social media reports describe him saying that he was the best candidate as he has lived in Masvingo for a long time and he done some projects in ward 6 where he is currently the councillor.
This assertion, Pande disputes.

Currently, Masvingo Urban has Jacob Nyokanhete of the Citizens Coalition for Change as the House of Assembly member.
Since 2000 the seat has been held mostly by the opposition.Silas Mangono MDC,(2000), Tongai Matutu MDC (2005), Daniel Shumba -Zanu PF, (2013) and the current incumbent, Nyokanhete.

Ironically the two are in the opposite factions in the political hot province.Pande belongs to Zanu PF provincial chairperson, Robson Mavhenyengwa camp, which is linked to Vice president, Constantino Chiwenga, while Mahwende is from minister of State and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira whose faction is believed to be linked to President Emmerson Mnangagwa.

Pande rubbished that and said he is not in any faction and he believes Zanu PF is a united party that is bent on development of the country.
“I am not in any faction ,infact what factions are you talking about.
“Our party is a united party and don’t listen to rumours from divisive elements,” said Pande.

The party’s primary elections were postponed indefinitely amid speculative reports that the internal fighting needs to be cleansed in a potentially explosive Polituburo meeting set for Monday

Rumours of vote buying are also flying around countrywide where prospective councillors and house of assembly members are trying to win by all means possible.