News / National
'We are now Zimbabwe's third largest party,' says Zapu
27 Mar 2022 at 20:21hrs | Views
ZAPU says it is now the third largest opposition party in the country after garnering more votes than the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance in constituencies and council wards which the party contested for in the Saturday by-elections.
In Bulawayo's Ward eight, a Zapu candidate got 85 votes while an MDC Alliance candidate managed only 50.The ward was won by a Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC) candidate who polled 1 356.
In Pumula constituency, the Zapu candidate polled 227 while the MDC Alliance candidate polled 110 votes. Sichelesile Mahlangu of CCC won the Constituency by 3 092 votes, according to premilitary results.
In an interview with Newzimbabwe.com, Zapu treasure general Future Msebele, who was in charge of the party's election team said he is happy with the party performance in the by-elections.
"We came third in most constituencies and wards we contested in. This suggests that we are the third largest Party and we present an alternative and a Third way," Msebele said
"We didn't perform as we expected but well these by elections has presented an opportunity to review our strategies and refine our message."
"This was a warm up exercise towards 2023. We are sure beyond doubt that we will perform better and win a number of seats in 2023. We will be the influential minority in Parliament," he said.
He said considering that the party is still building its structures following its recent congress, its performance was miraculously good.
"We contested in Gwanda and well we did not do well due to very low voters turn-out but in Insiza and some wards like Makokoba and Njube in Bulawayo we did very well," he said.
Zapu also contested in Tsholotsho.
In Bulawayo's Ward eight, a Zapu candidate got 85 votes while an MDC Alliance candidate managed only 50.The ward was won by a Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC) candidate who polled 1 356.
In Pumula constituency, the Zapu candidate polled 227 while the MDC Alliance candidate polled 110 votes. Sichelesile Mahlangu of CCC won the Constituency by 3 092 votes, according to premilitary results.
In an interview with Newzimbabwe.com, Zapu treasure general Future Msebele, who was in charge of the party's election team said he is happy with the party performance in the by-elections.
"We came third in most constituencies and wards we contested in. This suggests that we are the third largest Party and we present an alternative and a Third way," Msebele said
"This was a warm up exercise towards 2023. We are sure beyond doubt that we will perform better and win a number of seats in 2023. We will be the influential minority in Parliament," he said.
He said considering that the party is still building its structures following its recent congress, its performance was miraculously good.
"We contested in Gwanda and well we did not do well due to very low voters turn-out but in Insiza and some wards like Makokoba and Njube in Bulawayo we did very well," he said.
Zapu also contested in Tsholotsho.
Source - NewZimbabwe
