'Zanu PF rigged Norton election for Mliswa'

Newly elected Norton MP Temba Mliswa should not brag about his victory as Zanu PF 'rigged' for him, the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has suggested.

Mliswa clinched the seat on Saturday after amassing 8 927 votes against Zanu PF's Ronald Chindedza who polled 6 192.

PDP said Mliswa's victory only serve to strengthen Zanu PF stance of not implementing electoral reforms claiming that the conditions are conducive for free and fair elections.

Said PDP secretary for elections Settlement Chikwinya in a statement :

"As the PDP, our position is that the election results released on Sunday, 23 October 2016, are not in any way a reflection that the election was held in a free, fair and credible manner.

"In fact, the outcome of the Norton by-election may be one of the best results for Zanu PF and its propaganda machinery ahead of 2018 elections,".

He added "Basing on Saturdays' election results, Zanu PF will now have a platform to falsely claim that elections in Zimbabwe are held in a free and fair manner and there is no need to for electoral reforms,".

On the other hand Zanu PF political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere said the party has to regroup and come back strongly.

"This is only one seat we lost out of 30 by-elections we won. That, by any measure, cannot be called failure".