The ruling party in, ZANU PF, has gained a two-thirds majority in Parliament after winning all the six constituencies in yesterday’s by-elections.
The by-elections took place on Saturday 4 February 2024 to fill vacancies left by the recalls of Members of Parliament and councillors by Citizen Coalition for Change’s (CCC) interim secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu.
By-elections were held in six constituencies across the country namely Chegutu West, Seke, Goromonzi South, Mkoba North, Pelandaba-Tshabalala, and Zvimba East.
The ruling party trounced opposition candidates in the process securing a two-thirds parliamentary majority.
The party was two seats shy of the two thirds majority.
In Marondera, ZANU PF won all three vacant council seats. In Ward 10, ZANU PF received 489 votes compared to CCC’s 152. In Ward 8, ZANU PF had 435 votes while CCC had 121. In Ward 3, ZANU PF received 325 votes while CCC had 73.
Zvimba East constituency:
ZANU PF’s Kudakwashe Mananzva won the Zvimba East constituency with 10,359 votes, defeating independent candidate Oliver Mutasa and CCC’s Agrippa Alberito, who received 1992 and 855 votes respectively. Oliver Mutasa, a recalled CCC MP, ran as an independent candidate.
Pelandaba-Tshabalala constituency:
Joseph Tshuma of ZANU PF won the Pelandaba-Tshabalala constituency with 1845 votes, defeating CCC’s Moreblessing Tembo (464 votes) and DOP’s Abraham Yona Nkomo (156 votes). This constituency was previously represented by Gift ‘Ostallos’ Siziba before his recall by the CCC.
Mkoba North:
ZANU PF also claimed Mkoba North, with candidate Ncube Edgar receiving 2,415 votes and defeating Patrick Tayiya of DOP, who received 1,663 votes. The seat was previously held by CCC MP Amos Chibaya, who was recalled and then barred from standing in the by-election by a court.
Chegutu West Constituency:
Shakemore Timburwa of ZANU PF won the by-election in Chegutu West Constituency, becoming the MP with 6,697 votes. The previous CCC candidate, Admore Chivero, lost as an independent candidate, receiving 2,626 votes. Gift Konjana of MDC-A received 668 votes.
Goromonzi South Constituency:
In Goromonzi South Constituency, Washington Zhanda of ZANU PF won with 6,865 votes, while Reuben Chikudo of CCC received 1,067 votes.
ZANU PF remains the party of choice as witnessed by the by-election wins. People are fed up of the opposition theatrics. Those recalled CCC former legislators bite the dust confirming the voters frustration with the opposition.
We urge the party to take advantage of the wins to scale up development which was lacking in the constituencies.
