Zanu-PF wins Chimanimani West

Zanu-PF's overwhelming victory in Chimanimani West, where the party's candidate, Nokhutula Matsikenyere, whitewashed the opposition parties and independent candidates showed that Zanu-PF is unbeatable as long as it respects the wishes of the grassroots.

Analysts said the resounding victory, which came hard on the heels of a humiliating loss in Norton where factionalism was allowed to manifest, was a lesson for Zanu-PF ahead of 2018 on the sanctity of unity and the spirit of Team Zanu-PF that delivered the thunderous victory of 2013.

Matsikenyere polled 11 074 votes against independent candidate Peter Mtetwa who amassed 3 018, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe's Peter Gudyanga (183) and National Constitutional Assembly's Peter Musaruka who garnered 171 votes in Saturday's by-election.

Political analyst Mr Elton Ziki yesterday said after suffering defeat in Norton where a little-known candidate, Ronald Chindedza, was imposed on the people on factional grounds, like a wounded lion Zanu-PF romped to victory after mounting a well-coordinated campaign.

Matsikenyere's closest rival, Mr Mtetwa, conceded defeat but claimed there had been intimidation of the electorate, although no official reports confirmed this.