Mnangagwa's popularity under test in Mbizo

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa's popularity will be put to the test in the upcoming July 10 Mbizo constituency by-election where his protégé Vongaishe Mupereri will lock horns with former Zanu-PF councillor Onismo Zhavariro.

Alderman Zhavariro is contesting the seat as an independent candidate after he broke ranks with Zanu-PF 10 years ago.

Zanu-PF supporters in Kwekwe regard Mnangagwa as the city's godfather despite his two humiliating electoral losses to MDC-T's Blessing Chebundo in the 2002 and 2008 parliamentary elections.

Zhavariro claimed that opposition MDC supporters had also pledged to rally behind him to ensure the seat is not won by Zanu-PF.