HARARE - Zimbabwe Elections Commission (Zec) chairperson Rita Makarau yesterday clarified the confusion on former Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono’s ascendency to the Zanu PF senatorial seat in Buhera, saying she could not have commented on the specific issue in the absence of a new law to support her facts.
This comes as reports indicate that Zanu PF factions battling to succeed President Robert Mugabe could be derailing Gono’s bid to become a senator.
State media reports last week had suggested that Gono would have to wait longer before he knew if he would be sworn-in as the Senator for Buhera after the expiry of the legal provisions governing the filling of senatorial vacancies.
In an interview yesterday, Makarau said the Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) Act under which the harmonised elections were held expired in December after their six months’ mandatory lifetime.
Gono had on December 5, 2013 registered as a voter in Buhera West before the expiry of the Presidential Powers Act, but a group opposed to his rise is holding out on the legality of elevating the retired banker ahead of Shadreck Chipanga.
The seat fell vacant when ex-Dare reChimurenga and Zanu PF stalwart Kumbirai Kangai died.
Makarau yesterday told the Daily News that she could not competently speak or comment on Gono’s issue since there was a new law in the offing to replace the temporary presidential powers, which was ushered by the July 31 election.
“It is only after the new law has been passed that the party which holds that seat will be guided on how to fill in that seat.
“I could not have commentated on his registration because I do not know what the law contains,” she said.
“I understand the Electoral Amendment Bill is before Parliament and we are waiting to see that out come,” Makarau added.
However, information at hand shows that when the Buhera senator-designate registered last year, the party’s politburo endorsed his candidature on December 12 last year — in line with a Manicaland provincial election recommendation.