BATTLE lines for Marondera Central by-elections have been drawn with Citizens’ Coalition for Change’s Caston Mateu seeking to reclaim the seat despite a challenge from Zanu PF’s Ignatious Mateveke, MDC-Alliance’s Witness Muzavazi and independent candidate Carlos Tawanda Pindire.
MARY MUNDEYA
The seat fell vacant following Matewu’s recall by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T in 2020.
Matewu (CCC) Matewu was elected Marondera Central legislator in the 2018 general elections and was recalled from Parliament by Mwonzora in October 2020 after declaring allegiance to Nelson Chamisa.
His political career dates back to the early 2000s when he was in the United Kingdom. At one time he served as MDC youth chairperson in the UK.
Being elected president of the students’ union at the University of London where he read for his Bachelor of Science degree in environmental science, persuaded him to venture into politics.
If re-elected into office he hopes to serve the people of Marondera to the best of his abilities.
“I assure the people of Marondera Central that I’m going to work to the best of my abilities to represent them in Parliament, to develop this town, to speak out against issues that I feel should be addressed,” said Matewu.
He said he was confident of victory despite being set back by the recall.
“It’s frustrating to come back after having won in 2018, but of course we are back here again and we are raring to go. We are a new entity, a new party under the leadership of Advocate Nelson Chamisa and we are going to hit these elections and bring prosperity to the people of Marondera,’’ he said.
Ignatious Mateveke (Zanu PF)
The NewsHawks reached out to Mateveke but he declined to speak about his candidature.
Mateveke is the Zanu PF Mashonaland East provincial secretary for production. He is also a businessman and has held various positions in the party.
Witness Muzavazi (MDC-T)
Muzavazi is a social scientist who is employed as an administrator by the City of Harare.
Born in Buhera, Muzavazi (52) joined the Movement for Democratic Change in 1999 and was elected organising secretary for Marondera Ward 4.
He is the current information secretary of the MDC-T.
Muzavazi’s quest of becoming a member of parliament was derailed after he lost the MDC-Alliance primary elections to Caston Matewu, who eventually won the seat. He is however confident of victory and hopes to address the issue of policy inconsistencies to be a voice to the voiceless.
“People are not getting what they should get in terms of policies. Policies which are being put in place are not normally people driven, they are not people oriented because bills are being passed in Parliament without proper consultations with the people,” he says.
“I feel that I should represent people because we have a lot of areas that should be addressed in Marondera Central so that people will get representation,” he said.
If elected member of Parliament for Marondera Central, Muzavazi is promising to be a champion for infrastructural development and a messenger of the electorate from his constituency to Parliament.
“If I get the chance to be in Parliament, I promise to be a voice of the people of Marondera Central, I’ll report back 24/7 to the people of Marondera through community meetings,” Muzavazi said.
“I’ll work with the councilors who are the developing agents on the ground using the policies to develop our infrastructure. Muzavazi is the best candidate to be voted for because I have the vision to take the people of Marondera to their desired destination.”
Tawanda Carlos Pindire (independent candidate)
Pindirire (37) says he is an individual with a clear vision, courage, integrity and humility.
He decided to contest in the by-elections as an independent candidate because he wanted to distance himself from party slogans and regalia as well as being hampered by party politics.
Pindirire holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BMKT) marketing degree and is the chairperson of the Business Against Crime Forum of Zimbabwe.
If elected to office, he hopes to address the plethora of problems that Marondera has been facing such as water reticulation.
“I hope to lobby the government to upgrade its water treatment plan and through devolution funds upgrade water pipes so that we get access to the humanitarian right to water,” he says.
“I am offering to serve the community with my heart and not for personal gain.”
