Zanu-PF sweeps all 4 by-elections

Zanu-PF maintained its stronghold on Zimbabwe's political landscape by sweeping all four by-elections held on Saturday, capturing two National Assembly constituencies and two Rural District Council (RDC) wards. The elections took place in Gutu East and Insiza North constituencies, as well as Ward Five of Chipinge RDC and Ward Four of Binga RDC.

In Gutu East, Zanu-PF candidate Masvingise Zvarevashe secured a decisive victory with 9,321 votes, comfortably outpacing independent candidate Mr. Gift Gonese, who garnered 2,269 votes, and Mr. Zivanai Nzvenga of the National Consultative Assembly (NCA), who received 173 votes. The elections officer for Gutu East, Mr. Ernest Mukunidzwa, officially announced the results.

In Insiza North, Delani Moyo of Zanu-PF won with 7,171 votes, beating independent candidate Mr. Leslie Dube who managed 1,187 votes. Candidates from ZAPU and ZNRP, Thabani Mlotshwa and Mbongeni Moyo respectively, received 114 and 131 votes. The constituency's elections officer, Mr. Zelembu Dube, reported 84 rejected ballots.

Ward Five of Chipinge RDC also fell to Zanu-PF, with Humbe Singatini winning 1,748 votes. Independent candidate Mr. Godfrey Salani followed with 362 votes, NCA candidate Mr. Tinozivei Mkachana got 100 votes, and CCC candidate Mr. Ndinani Zvigumi polled 26 votes. The ward's elections officer, Mr. Tungamirai Maxwell Sunduza, confirmed the outcome.

In Binga RDC Ward Four, Zanu-PF candidate Brian Munsaka took the seat with 910 votes, while independent candidate Mr. Mipia Dube received 160 votes, according to ward elections officer Mr. Joseph Moyo.

The Gutu East seat was vacated following the recall of Benjamin Ganyiwa, while the Insiza North seat became available after the death of the sitting National Assembly member, Farai Taruvinga. The vacancy in Binga RDC Ward Four resulted from the resignation of the incumbent councillor, and Ward Five in Chipinge RDC was left vacant due to the death of a councillor.

Zanu-PF spokesperson Ambassador Christopher Mutsvangwa expressed delight at the results, praising the electorate's continued confidence in the party's policies under President Emmerson Mnangagwa's leadership. He congratulated the President and the party's electoral team for the "clean sweep" of victories and highlighted the geographic spread of the wins as evidence of the party's nationwide appeal.

Ambassador Mutsvangwa said the results affirm Zanu-PF's dominant position in Zimbabwean politics, strengthening its already commanding majority in Parliament. He emphasized that the party's manifesto and delivery on key promises in sectors such as mining, manufacturing, and agriculture continue to resonate with voters.

"This victory reaffirms the party's dominant position in Zimbabwean politics, solidifying its representation in the National Assembly, where it now holds well over a two-thirds majority," said Ambassador Mutsvangwa. He also pointed to the role of opposition fragmentation in Zanu-PF's ongoing electoral success.

Lovemore Matuke, Zanu-PF Secretary for Security and Minister of State Security, attributed the victory to President Mnangagwa's signature development projects that are visibly transforming the economy. He said the electorate's support stems from witnessing tangible progress under the ruling party's stewardship.

"The electorate is seeing real projects being implemented by the Zanu-PF-led government, which made campaigning easier and contributed to our sweeping wins in all the by-elections," said Matuke.

The by-election wins continue the trend of electoral success following the August 2023 general elections, cementing Zanu-PF's grip on power across both parliamentary and local government levels.