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Zanu-PF orders Insiza North primary election re-run
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Zanu-PF has ordered a rerun of its Insiza North primary election following allegations of ballot stuffing and logistical irregularities that marred the initial vote held on May 3, 2025.
The rerun is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, after the party's top leadership overturned an earlier recommendation to uphold the victory of Moses Langa, who had defeated six other contenders to secure the nomination to replace the late MP Farai Taruvinga.
Langa, the son of former Sports Minister Andrew Langa, received 2,478 votes, comfortably ahead of Delani Moyo (1,564) and Qhubani Moyo (983), a former commissioner with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). However, both Moyo and Qhubani Moyo protested the outcome, alleging widespread manipulation, including ballot stuffing and delayed delivery of voting materials in some wards.
The matter was escalated to the party's politburo, which convened on May 7 to discuss the disputed primary. Political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha was dispatched to Insiza North to investigate the claims further and met with the candidates and district officials at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo on Sunday, May 11.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Machacha recommended that Langa be confirmed as the candidate, citing time constraints ahead of the nomination court sitting on May 15. However, his recommendation was rejected by the party's top hierarchy.
"A decision was taken at the level of the presidency that the election should be rerun due to the irregularities cited," a Zanu-PF insider told ZimLive. "The party leaders decided that failing to conduct a new election would be bad for party unity in the constituency concerned."
The controversy comes at a critical time, with the Insiza North by-election scheduled for June 24, the same day as another in Gutu East, where the seat fell vacant following the expulsion of Benjamin Ganyiwa from Zanu-PF.
Despite the internal wrangles, Zanu-PF is widely expected to retain both seats, largely due to a fragmented opposition and the party's entrenched rural support base.
Analysts warn, however, that the rerun signals growing tensions within the ruling party as factions jostle for influence ahead of the 2028 general elections. The insistence on a fresh vote, observers say, also highlights concerns about legitimacy and unity even within Zanu-PF's own ranks.
The rerun is scheduled for Tuesday, May 13, after the party's top leadership overturned an earlier recommendation to uphold the victory of Moses Langa, who had defeated six other contenders to secure the nomination to replace the late MP Farai Taruvinga.
Langa, the son of former Sports Minister Andrew Langa, received 2,478 votes, comfortably ahead of Delani Moyo (1,564) and Qhubani Moyo (983), a former commissioner with the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). However, both Moyo and Qhubani Moyo protested the outcome, alleging widespread manipulation, including ballot stuffing and delayed delivery of voting materials in some wards.
The matter was escalated to the party's politburo, which convened on May 7 to discuss the disputed primary. Political commissar Munyaradzi Machacha was dispatched to Insiza North to investigate the claims further and met with the candidates and district officials at Rainbow Hotel in Bulawayo on Sunday, May 11.
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Machacha recommended that Langa be confirmed as the candidate, citing time constraints ahead of the nomination court sitting on May 15. However, his recommendation was rejected by the party's top hierarchy.
"A decision was taken at the level of the presidency that the election should be rerun due to the irregularities cited," a Zanu-PF insider told ZimLive. "The party leaders decided that failing to conduct a new election would be bad for party unity in the constituency concerned."
The controversy comes at a critical time, with the Insiza North by-election scheduled for June 24, the same day as another in Gutu East, where the seat fell vacant following the expulsion of Benjamin Ganyiwa from Zanu-PF.
Despite the internal wrangles, Zanu-PF is widely expected to retain both seats, largely due to a fragmented opposition and the party's entrenched rural support base.
Analysts warn, however, that the rerun signals growing tensions within the ruling party as factions jostle for influence ahead of the 2028 general elections. The insistence on a fresh vote, observers say, also highlights concerns about legitimacy and unity even within Zanu-PF's own ranks.
Source - online
