President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa has officially proclaimed the holding of by-elections in the Gutu East and Insiza North constituencies following the emergence of two vacant parliamentary seats. The proclamation, made under Proclamation 3 of 2025 and gazetted through Statutory Instrument 44A of 2025, comes in terms of section 129(1)(k) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and section 39(2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13].
The Gutu East seat fell vacant following the expulsion of Benjamin Ganyiwa from the ruling ZANU PF party, while the Insiza North seat became vacant after the death of sitting Member of Parliament, Farai Taruvinga. In accordance with the law, once the Speaker of Parliament notifies the President of such vacancies, a proclamation must be issued ordering fresh elections in the affected constituencies.
The President has accordingly fixed Thursday, the 15th of May 2025, as the date on which the nomination courts will sit to receive candidates wishing to contest in the by-elections. For Gutu East, the nomination court will convene at the Magistrates Court situated at the corner of Robert Mugabe Street and Jason Moyo Avenue in Masvingo, beginning at 1000 hours. Details regarding the nomination venue for Insiza North are expected to be provided by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission in due course.
This development signals the commencement of another crucial electoral process that will test the political dynamics in the two constituencies and potentially influence the balance of representation in the National Assembly. The proclamation underscores the government’s commitment to upholding constitutional processes in the administration of parliamentary affairs.
