Zanu-PF set for landslide

ZANU-PF was last night poised to gain an unlikely foothold in Bulawayo by winning all five parliamentary by-elections - the first time the party has had a directly-elected MP since 2000.

The Chronicle was projecting - based on polling station results - a clean sweep for Zanu-PF in the city, which has been dominated by the MDC-T for 15 years.

A vote count was underway in 16 by-elections countrywide after polls closed at 7PM. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) was yet to announce any official results by 1.30AM this morning.

Voter turnout was generally low in urban centres, while rural constituencies saw a huge turnout. There was heavy foreign-observer presence in Hurungwe West constituency, where Australian, Canadian and United States embassy officials were seen moving around. Some 26,772 votes cast their ballots there.

Five seats were up for grabs in Bulawayo in yesterday's polls after the MDC-T caused the ejection of 21 of its legislators who had defected to MDC Renewal led by Tendai Biti.

Neither the MDC-T nor MDC Renewal had the appetite to fight Zanu-PF in the by-elections, leaving the ruling party to face inferior opposition, including Dumiso Dabengwa's Zapu.

The constituencies that were declared vacant in the second capital are Makokoba, Pelandaba-Mpopoma, Lobengula, Pumula and Luveve.

In Makokoba, Zanu-PF candidate Tshinga Dube was leading. At one polling station, Dube had more than 300 votes while his nearest rival had 11. Dube was battling it out with Jonathan Ndlovu (Zapu), Wilson Harry Peter (Mavambo Kusile Dawn) and three independents - Joan Dhlodhlo, Sibangilizwe Msipa and Sehlelo Nkomo.

In Lobengula constituency, Maidei Mpala of Zanu-PF was leading her nearest rival by 2,000 votes at the time of going to print.

Mpala was competing against Leonard Mhike (Transform Zimbabwe), Casper Sibanda (Zapu), Jane Mbewe (Freedom Front Party) and Njabuliso Mguni (Independent).

Godfrey Malaba, Zanu-PF, was also leading by more than 700 votes with 19 wards still to be counted in Pumula. He was being challenged by Jackson Lunga (National Constitutional Assembly), Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu (Transform Zimbabwe), and four independent candidates Zakhele Mpofu, Misheck Ncube, Albert Mhlanga and Morrison Maluso.

Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo, the Zanu-PF candidate for Luveve, was also ahead in the count. He was slugging it out with Fanuel Tshuma (Transform Zimbabwe), Morgan Ntuli (National Constitutional Assembly) and three independents - Thembelihle Sibanda, Mkhululi Nyathi and Willias Dube.

In Mpopoma-Pelandaba, Joseph Tshuma was representing Zanu-PF. His rivals were Strike Mkandla (Zapu), Andrea Banda (Transform Zimbabwe), Sokhaya Mabena (National Constitutional Assembly), Joshua Mlambo (independent), Tsibo Mkwena (independent) and Vusumusi Mabhikwa (independent).

Of the 16 by-elections, two - Headlands and Hurungwe West - were precipitated by Zanu-PF's expulsion of Didymus Mutasa and Temba Mliswa, respectively.

Mliswa was reported to be fighting close early this morning, with Zanu-PF's candidate Keith Guzah only 400 votes ahead.

In Harare East constituency, election officer Stewart Zvavambira said 5,618 voters had cast their ballots by 4PM. He said 1,360 voters were turned away, mainly for trying to vote in the wrong ward and lack of proper identification.

Terence Mukupe of Zanu-PF cast his ballot at Oriel Boys High School where less than 50 people had voted by 10AM. Party officials last night told The Chronicle the seat had been "secured". In Hurungwe West constituency where former provincial chairman Temba Mliswa and Keith Guzah are contesting, voting was peaceful and the revolutionary party candidate was headed for victory.

In Dangamvura-Chikanga constituency in Mutare and Headlands constituencies, turnout was low.

In Kambuzuma, voting started and closed peacefully at all the 22 polling stations.

Although Kuwadzana elections officer Gabriel Kadondo declined to release the number of people who had voted by the close of business, at least 3,070 people had voted by 2PM.

Zanu-PF's Betty Kaseke said: "I'm confident that this seat is coming to my party. We've done our homework."

Dzivarasekwa constituency elections officer Collins Muchenjekwa said as at 4PM 6,075 people had cast their ballots.

The situation was the same with Highfield West and Glen View where the revolutionary party is represented by Cdes Pyschology Mazivisa and Pius Madzinga respectively.