Recalls gift Zanu PF 6 more seats

Oscar J Jeke

Recalls gifted Zanu PF all six seats contested in the Saturday by-elections that recorded a low voter turnout, with Zanu PF making inroads in urban and peri-urban constituencies as well as urban local authority wards across the country.

This comes as Citizens’ Coalition for Change candidates were barred through their recall from contesting in the by-election by interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.

Edgar Ncube of Zanu PF garnered 2 415 votes to beat Patrick Tayiya of Democratic Official Party with 663 votes in Mkoba North.

In Pelandaba Tshabalala where Gift Ostallos Siziba was barred from contesting after his recall, Joseph Tshuma of Zanu PF won with 1 845 votes against CCC’s Moreblessing Tembo who got 464 votes while Nkomo Abraham of DOP got 156 votes.

Zvimba East had ZANU PF’s Kudakwashe Mananzva winning with 10 359 votes, beating Albert Agrippa of CCC who got 855 votes while Independent candidate Oliver Mtasa garnered 1 992 votes.

Wellington Zhanda garnered 6 865 votes to win in Goromonzi South constituency where CCC’s Chikudo Reuben with 1 067 votes.

In Chegutu West, Shakemore Timburwa of Zanu PF won with 6 697 votes, CCC- Konjani Machoka had 668 votes while Independent candidate Admore Chivero got 2 626 votes.

Munyaradzi Kashambe of Zanu PF is the new MP for Seke constituency after getting 8 586 votes, trouncing CCC’s Chisi Everisto, who had 669 votes, and Independent candidate Willard Madzimbamuto, who got 2 401 votes.

Madzimbamuto was elected Seke MP in August 2023 under the CCC but decided to run as an independent following the barring of other candidates who decided to run under CCC in by-elections that were held on December 9 last year.

Generally there was a low voter turnout in most constituencies, with Mkoba North recording 14.6%, Pelandaba Tshabalala 11.73%, Goromonzi South 18.1% and Zvimba East 31.6%.

The ruling Zanu PF, according to the by-election results, has made significant inroads in to urban and peri-urban constituencies and local authority wards.

Political analyst Kudakwashe Munemo noted that with the two-thirds majority that the party now enjoys in Parliament, Zanu PF can unilaterally decide on constitutional amendments and other key issues.

“It’s very unfortunate, for with a two-thirds majority in Parliament now, the party may unilaterally decide on say, constitutional amendments.

“Generally, people participate more in the actual/fully-fledged election. This time, l think it’s loss of interest given the environment coupled with limited awareness,” he said.