The ruling ZANU PF registered emphatic victories against opposition pretenders in by-elections held over the weekend in what the party and observers say is a taste of what is to come in the 2023 harmonised polls.
ZANU PF won five of the six by-elections held on Saturday.
By-elections – the last before President Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaims a date for the 2023 general election – were held in Buhera (Ward 24), Mutare (Ward 18), Midlands’ Takawira Ward 6, Guruve (Ward 4), Insiza (Ward 4), and Matobo (Ward 2).
The margins of victory left ZANU PF brimming with confidence.
In Insiza, ZANU PF’s Daniel Dube polled 578 votes to CCC’s Augustine Gumede’s 415.
Another ruling aprty candidate, Fadreck Siwela, got 934 votes in Matobo to beat Sindiso Ngwenya (CCC), who got 270 votes.
It was the same script in Buhera where Enest Muzokomba (ZANU PF) garnered 1,265 votes to outpoll nearest challenger Joram Muzamba (CCC), who secured 692 ballots.
In Guruve, Season Chiguma (ZANU PF) won the seat with 1,135 votes, defeating Francis Wonder Kudyahakudarikwi (CCC), who polled 114 votes.
In Takawira, Winny Netsai Dzingira (ZANU PF) polled 594 to defeat Amos Marevengwa of CCC, who got 314 votes.
The opposition CCC got its consolation in Mutare where Blessing Murindashaka pipped Loveness Chiwashira (ZANU PF).
ZANU PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa said the victories pointed to the demise of the opposition and the ruling party’s surging popularity.
“They (the victories) are coming at a juncture when ZEC has announced an indicative July-August 2023 time-frame of the national harmonised elections. Clearly the by-election outcome is a real life straw poll of the mood of the national electorate. – The Herald
