Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka in Tsholotsho
ALL is set for the Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) by-elections taking place today in Wards 1, 10 and 21, with voters expected to cast their ballots to elect new councillors following the dismissal of three former council representatives.
Seven candidates are in the race for the three wards, with the ruling Zanu-PF expressing confidence of securing victory in all the contested seats.
The by-elections were necessitated by the dismissal of councillors following an independent tribunal probe into allegations of criminal abuse of office, fraud and the abuse of Campfire funds.
The affected wards fell vacant after the Government dismissed the councillors following investigations into the allegations.
The councillors who had been under investigation were Witness Khumalo (Ward 1), Jabulani Sigagula (Ward 7), Busani Vundla (Ward 6), Jonathan Ndlovu (Ward 10) and Felix Tshuma (Ward 21).
Following their suspension in February this year by Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe, an independent tribunal was appointed to investigate the allegations and afford the councillors an opportunity to respond to the charges.
Three councillors were subsequently dismissed, paving the way for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to proclaim June 20, 2026, as the date for the by-elections in the affected wards.
The dismissed councillors are reportedly challenging their dismissal at the High Court.
In Ward 1, Zanu-PF candidate Cde Lindiwe Mkwananzi will battle it out with independent candidate Mr Solani Mlilo.
Ward 10 has attracted three candidates — Cde Simbisai Ndlovu of Zanu-PF, Mr Mchlukanisi Washington Ncube of Zapu and independent candidate Mr Ntando Siziba.
In Ward 21, Zanu-PF candidate Cde Phillip Mvundla will square off against independent candidate Mr Marx Sibanda.
Political activity intensified in recent weeks as candidates canvassed for votes across the vast rural district, with development issues dominating campaign messages.
Among the key concerns raised by residents during the campaign period are access to health facilities, water shortages and opportunities for household income-generating projects.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial secretary for administration Cde Douglas Khoza said the ruling party was optimistic of winning all the contested wards.
“Campaigns were progressing well and Zanu-PF gained ground in the two wards previously held by CCC councillors, which are Ward 1 and Ward 21. As for Ward 10, Zanu-PF is assured of returning the ward because it is in a Zanu-PF constituency under the stewardship of Cde Musa Ncube, who is also the Deputy Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities,” he said.
Cde Khoza said residents in the opposition-held wards had indicated their desire to support Zanu-PF after observing development initiatives being implemented under the Second Republic.
“The other two wards are in Tsholotsho North, which were won by the opposition. The people there have seen and heard the developmental differences between the two constituencies and have promised to correct the outcome of the last general elections,” he said.
He added that the party was drawing support from President Mnangagwa’s development agenda and ongoing Government programmes aimed at improving livelihoods in rural communities.
“People are raising basic socio-economic developmental issues like long distances to clinics, water challenges and household income-generating projects.
“The answer comes from the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme and the establishment of village business units at every drilled borehole through the solarisation of these boreholes in each village,” said Cde Khoza.
He said President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind continued to resonate with communities across the province.
“The message to Tsholotsho is simple — stretch out your hands and embrace the developmental agenda and philosophy of His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa of leaving no one and no place behind,” he said.
Polling stations opened at 7am and will close at 7pm, with election officials indicating their readiness to conduct the by-elections in accordance with the law.
The outcome of today’s polls will be closely watched as residents choose new representatives to spearhead development initiatives and address service delivery challenges in their respective wards.
