Khumbu Malinga tipped to win Nkulumane by-election

Nkulumane Constituency heads to a by-election on December 20, 2025, following the death of MP Desire Moyo, and the contest has taken a new turn with the entry of Khumbulani Malinga, the late lawmaker's former Chief of Staff. His candidacy has quickly reshaped the dynamics of the race, drawing on the goodwill and community trust Moyo built over the years.

Malinga, who worked closely with the late MP on various development and social programmes, is positioning himself as the natural successor to Moyo's vision. Addressing supporters, he framed his bid as a continuation of unfinished work. "Even though he is gone, the vision remains our mandate," he said. He added, in a message echoing the social assistance projects he coordinated under Moyo's office: "We have taken care of orphans, and we are here to finish the work."

The by-election field is, however, far from straightforward. Zanu-PF's Freedom Murechu is expected to campaign on infrastructure and development. Civil society advocate Mbuso Fuzwayo of Ibhetshu LikaZulu adds a regional and rights-based dimension to the race. And the entry of Moyo's widow introduces a powerful emotional and symbolic element, creating a contest intricately woven with political, personal and sentimental threads.



Malinga has placed Localised Economic Empowerment at the centre of his campaign, arguing that Nkulumane's underutilised public facilities can be transformed into engines of economic revival. He has repeatedly spoken about repurposing Youth Centres and Post Offices into District Business Units capable of offering digital services, skills training, small manufacturing and e-commerce fulfilment.

The plan, he says, is designed to "generate at least 200 jobs for youths", reduce transport costs and anchor economic opportunities within the community. Speaking on the state of public facilities, Malinga told residents, "Our infrastructure is sleeping. We will wake up our Youth Centres and turn them into training hubs and workshops. We will use our Post Offices as digital centres and e-commerce fulfilment points." He described the proposal as a shift from short-term development promises to a structural model intended to keep money circulating within Nkulumane.

As the campaign season intensifies, voters are weighing how best to honour Moyo's legacy while addressing persistent challenges such as unemployment, weak service delivery and stalled infrastructure. Whether Malinga's insider understanding of the late MP's programmes puts him ahead - or whether the fractured field splits support among the competing candidates - remains to be seen as the December 20 by-election approaches.