Zanu-PF sweeps to victory in by-election

Zanu-PF has overwhelmingly won the Mutoko North by-election held on Saturday, reaffirming the ruling party's popularity as shown by the July 30 harmonised elections where it scored more than two thirds majority in Parliament.

The ruling party's Rambidzai Nyabote trounced his rivals by posting 11 141 votes, while his closest rival, Mr Boniface Mushore of MDC-Alliance, managed only 1 329, with Mr Edson Mugoma of NCA a distant third with 94 votes. The seat fell vacant after Mabel Chinomona was elected Senate President recently.

In the July 30 harmonised elections, Chinomona garnered 16 902 votes, while Mr Mushore, who contested on the MDC Alliance ticket, got 3 151 votes and Mr Shamu Kativu of FreeZim Congress got 262 votes.

Zanu-PF national spokesperson Simon Khaya Moyo welcomed the win by Nyabote, saying the victory reaffirmed the party's popularity across the country.

"The resounding victory in Mutoko North constituency by Zanu-PF indicates we are the people's party with a large following across the country and people of Mutoko have reaffirmed that position," he said.

"The people have told the whole world that Zanu-PF is still a party of the people, we are the most trusted party." Khaya Moyo congratulated Nyabote and the Mutoko North people for a clean sweep.

He said the people voted for Zanu-PF because they know for a fact that it is the only party with the people at heart and sound policies.

"We congratulate the Mutoko people and Zanu-PF supporters for that victory," said Khaya Moyo.

"People voted for Zanu-PF because it is the only party with clear policies and programmes which are people centred. We are the hope for the entire nation."

Khaya Moyo commended party supporters for voting peacefully and remaining principled, focused and united throughout the by-election.

In an interview soon after the announcement of the results, Nyabote paid tribute to the people of Mutoko for voting for him. He hailed the peaceful manner in which the by-election was conducted, saying it was evidence of the political maturity of the people in the constituency.

"I am humbled by the confidence that the people of Mutoko North have in me," he said.

"I want to thank all the Zanu-PF supporters who came in their numbers to vote for me. I am saying to you thank you for voting for development and for lifting the party's flag high again.

"Let me commend also everyone who came out to vote for being peaceful. No violence was reported in all our wards. This shows that there is political tolerance and maturity across the political divide, this is the level of maturity that will drive the wheels of development in this constituency and province."

Nyabote said he will strive to develop Mutoko North using all the natural resources that are abundant in the constituency. He said he would practise servant leadership which President Mnangagwa has been advocating for.