Mnangagwa, Chamisa lead 11-man presidential race in Zimbabwe HARARE — The race for the presidency in Zimbabwe’s harmonised elections set for August 23 this year has been narrowed down to 11 candidates, according to a provisional list released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The list is yet to be confirmed by the electoral body, but it features incumbent President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his main challenger Nelson Chamisa, the leader of Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC). Other candidates who made the cut are Douglas Mwonzora of MDC-T, Saviour Kasukuwere, an Independent, Lovemore Madhuku of NCA, Trust Chikohora of Zimbabwe Coalition for Peace and Development (ZCPD), Blessing Kasiyamhuru of Zimbabwe Partnership for Prosperity Party, Joseph Makamba Busha of Freezim Congress Party, Wilson Harry Peters of Democratic Opposition Party and Gwinyai Muzorewa of United African National Council (UANC). However, two female candidates, Linda Masarira of LEAD and Elisabeth Valerio of United Zimbabwe Alliance, failed to submit their nomination papers after they encountered problems with paying the Z$138 million Zimbabwe dollar alternative for US$20,000 nomination fees. Masarira said her bank could not process the electronic transfer due to the Z$5 million daily limits and she did not have cash on hand. Valerio said her proof of payment was rejected by the nomination court and she was told to produce US$20,000 cash payment to ZEC by midnight or be disqualified. The number of presidential hopefuls is significantly lower than the 23 who contested in the 2018 elections, most of whom performed poorly. The main contest is expected to be between Mnangagwa and Chamisa, who command large followings among Zimbabweans. Chamisa expressed confidence in winning the election after confirming his nomination on Wednesday. He said Mnangagwa had no reason to be in the election and should hand over power to the next government. “We want is a big win, nothing short of a big win,” Chamisa declared. He added, “Mnangagwa is a courageous man. I don’t know why he has the courage to stand in this election. He has no reason to be in this election. Decency must teach him that he should hand over to the next government”. He also dismissed Kasukuwere, a former Zanu PF commissar, as a Zanu PF faction leader. Chikohora, on the other hand, said he was confident of causing an upset in the election. Kukurigo Updates©️ To subscribe click and send “join” https://wa.me/263733043888 or message +263733043888
