ZANU (PF) secretary for Administration Ignatius Chombo and Transport Minister Obert Mpofu have threatened with death the officer who presided over the Harare East primary election and forced her to withdraw the candidature of Terrence Mukupe who had won the polls.[lightbox link=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2014/07/chombo.jpg” thumb=”http://www.zimeye.com/wp-content/live_images//2014/07/chombo.jpg” width=”300″ align=”none” title=”chombo” frame=”true” icon=”image” caption=””]
Mukupe who was Mpofu’s collapsed Allied bank chief executive officer contested in the primary elections (651) on 11 April and beat Mavis Gumbo (369).
But Chombo reversed the election result and appointed Gumbo to represent the party in the June 10 by-elections.
In an application Mukupe filed to the electoral court challenging the withdrawal of his candidature death threats were given to the presiding officer who fearing f or her life later complied.
“I was called in the nomination court after winning the election by some sympathizers where in the gallery I demanded to see the latter which Chombo was said to have written disqualifying my participation but up to date that letter has not been shown to me”,said mukupe.
“I immediately phoned Mr Kasukuwere who was outside the country and he appointed an officer to confirm that I was the duly elected member of the party for Harare East constituency which was promptly furnished to Masimirembwa while the nomination court was in session.
“But Masimirembwa remained adamant that my candidature had been withdrawn by the party and confirmed his previous vows that I would not participate”, he said.
“The presiding officer confirmed that my papers were in order and could no t be withdrawn in the manner that had been done but had received threats and life was in danger if she acted otherwise”.
“She received several calls from Chombo and adjourned the process for seven times before telling me that the decision to reject my nomination papers was now political as she had been threatened”.