By Margaret Kamba 

ZANU PF First Secretary and President His Excellency Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa has approved a list of names for candidates to represent the ruling Party in the primary elections slated for next Saturday.

The candidates have less than a week to campaign for the primaries before they can prepare to battle it out in the By-elections scheduled for 26 April.

Speaking during a press briefing this Saturday morning, the Party’s National Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha said the Party members who had met the criteria in respect of the procedure would be part of the primary elections.

"As you are aware that a proclamation was made by His Excellency, the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe and First Secretary of ZANU PF, Cde Dr E.D Mnangagwa of National By-elections in Mount Pleasant and Harare East Constituencies following resignations by the Members of Parliament in these Constituencies," Cde Bimha said.

"President Mnangagwa has approved two candidates for Harare East Lynette Mahlaba (female) and Kiven Mutimbanyoka (male) and four candidates for the Mt Pleasant Constituency namely George Mashavave (male), Jaison Passade (male), Chris Chuchu (male) and Beadle Musatye Gwasira (male)."

Cde Bimha added that the cell verification process is currently underway in preparation for the primary elections.