ZANU PF, Independent Candidate Clash Over Chamisa Picture On Campaign Posters

A ZANU PF candidate has filed a complaint with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), accusing his independent rival of misleading voters by using images of Nelson Chamisa on campaign posters ahead of the July 26 by-election in Chikomba’s Ward 10.

The seat fell vacant following the recent death of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillor Amos Reza in a motorbike accident.

ZANU PF’s Tafadzwa Mukandi raised the issue during a multi-party liaison committee meeting on Tuesday, objecting to campaign material by Tawanda Muchenje that features photos of both Chamisa and Reza. He described the move as deceptive and opportunistic.

Several independent candidates aligned with the opposition have used Chamisa’s image since the CCC was taken over by Sengezo Tshabangu in 2023.

Though Chamisa left the party, many candidates continue to use his image, citing shared political values.

Ironically, Tshabangu has also used Chamisa’s image in party communications.

Mukandi argued that the posters could mislead voters into believing that Muchenje is aligned with Chamisa or officially endorsed by him, which he said is not the case. He said:

If he (Muchenje) is truly independent, he should be using his picture, not riding on the popularity of others.

I wanted to understand from ZEC what it means to be an independent candidate.

I am asking on behalf of the electorate because it doesn’t make sense. We all know that the late Reza was a CCC councillor.

Does it make sense that someone calls himself independent, yet he takes a picture of a well-known opposition member and puts it on his campaign poster?

We feel it will confuse the electorate. They should stick to the picture they submitted to ZEC, which is Muchenje’s picture.

I am a ZANU PF candidate. I use ZANU PF logos and regalia, not any other party. That should be the same with Muchenje.

Muchenje said ZEC had distanced itself from the dispute, adding that the commission raised no objections to his campaign material. He argued that only those whose images appear on the posters had grounds to complain.

ZEC Chikomba district elections officer Todd Chibengwa said that no formal complaint had been submitted, adding that the commission does not regulate the content candidates use during campaigns.

Mukandi, the ZANU PF candidate, previously lost to the late CCC councillor Amos Reza in the 2023 general elections. This marks his third attempt to reclaim the seat after winning the March 2022 by-election.

More: NewsDay

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