'Norton by-election teaches us that without security apparatus, Zanu PF is doomed'

Political commentator Pedzisai Ruhanya has said the Norton by-election outcome which was won by an independent candidate Temba Mliswa against the ruling Zanu PF shows that the former liberation movement is doomed without the participation of security forces in the polls.

Mliswa beat Zanu PF candidate Ronald Chindedza in the by election.

"The Norton by election teaches us that without the security apparatus' overt and covert involvement in the electoral affairs of Zimbabwe, Zanu PF is in huge trouble," Ruhanya said.

"The securocrat/military/coercive/repressive status apparatus (Althusser) is the decisive power bloc in Zanu PF's hegemonic projects! The role of both retired and serving military people in this election should be scrutinized."

He said also interesting to observe failure of the Zanu PF strategy to use urban land to dilute opposition strongholds.

"For Zanu PF is going to back to get more efficacious stratagem because (Saviour) Kasukuwere's land for vote hypothesis appears to have been in firmed/dismissed or at least it has huge challenges/holes," he said.