Zanu-PF wins Nkukumane by-election

Zanu-PF has reclaimed the Nkulumane Constituency parliamentary seat in a significant political upset, ending more than two decades of opposition dominance that dates back to the early 2000s.

The ruling party's candidate, Freedom Murechu, won the by-election held yesterday, filling the vacancy left by the death of the sitting legislator, Desire Moyo. The result marks a historic turnaround in a constituency long regarded as an opposition stronghold.

Official results released by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Elections Officer, Mrs Sithembiso Khuphe, showed that Murechu outperformed eight other candidates to secure the seat with a decisive margin. He amassed 3 416 votes, underscoring a notable shift in voter sentiment within the constituency.

Independent candidate Rodney Jele finished second with 745 votes. Esther Excellia Zitha, also an independent and widow of the late Desire Moyo, came third after polling 325 votes, narrowly ahead of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Mothusi Ndlovu, also known as Madlela Skhobokobo, who received 320 votes.

Other contenders trailed further behind, with independent Mbuso Fuzwayo polling 121 votes, Vivian Siziba of ZAPU securing 110, Alson Moyo of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) receiving 65, Ethel Sibanda of the MDC-T polling 23 and Nompilo Ncube Malaba of the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC) finishing with 18 votes.

The outcome represents a major breakthrough for Zanu-PF in urban Bulawayo, signalling a dramatic political realignment in Nkulumane after more than 20 years under opposition control.