Online Reporter
Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, [email protected]
VOTERS in Insiza North and Gutu East constituencies will head to the polls on June 14 for by-elections, after candidates successfully filed their nomination papers yesterday. Four individuals are set to contest the Insiza North seat in Matabeleland South, while three are vying for the Gutu East constituency in Masvingo Province.
The polls were triggered by the death of a sitting Member of Parliament and party expulsion, respectively.
The four candidates set to contest the upcoming Insiza North Constituency by-election are Cde Delani Moyo of Zanu-PF, Mr Thabani Mlotshwa of Zapu, Mr Lesley Dube (independent), and Mr Mbongeni Moyo of the Zimbabwe
National Revival Party. They filed their nomination papers at the Gwanda Provincial Magistrates’ Courts.
The by-election was prompted by the death of Cde Farai Taruvinga, the sitting Zanu-PF MP. He passed away in March following a prolonged battle with cancer. Cde Taruvinga was first elected in the 2018 harmonised elections and retained the seat in the 2023 general elections. He was widely recognised for championing rural development, particularly in road rehabilitation and borehole drilling projects.
His passing has created a leadership vacuum in a constituency traditionally regarded as a Zanu-PF stronghold, making the by-election a crucial test of the party’s continued dominance in the area. A fifth aspiring candidate, Mr Joel Mabhena of the Mthwakazi Republic Party, was disqualified after failing to secure the required number of nominators.
The nomination court, which sat from 10am to 4pm, witnessed a smooth and orderly filing process. Two candidates, Mr Dube and Mr Mlotshwa, submitted their papers before the court formally opened, with the remaining candidates filing theirs throughout the day.
Zanu-PF’s Cde Moyo, who recently emerged victorious in the party’s primary elections against six other contenders, expressed confidence in retaining the seat.
“I’m pleased to have successfully filed my papers. The work has already begun, and we are taking it up a notch. I will be on the ground engaging with the community and sharing the development agenda of the party and Government,” he said.
Cde Moyo stated that his campaign would focus on advancing Vision 2030, with particular emphasis on improving roads, water supply, schools, clinics, and other essential infrastructure.
“Zanu-PF has a strong presence here. I am confident the people will turn out in numbers to defend the party,” he said.
Zapu candidate Mr Mlotshwa commended the professionalism and transparency demonstrated by the nomination officials and fellow candidates.
“The process was fair and I’m pleased to have filed my papers successfully. Everything was conducted in line with the law and the set timelines,” he said.
Speaking shortly before the close of the nomination court, the nomination officer, Mr Richard Sibanda, confirmed that the process had proceeded peacefully.
“The nomination court opened on time at 10am. Two candidates had already lodged their papers prior to the sitting. Three more submitted theirs throughout the day, and one nomination was rejected due to an insufficient number of nominators,” he said.
Insiza North, located in Matabeleland South, is predominantly rural, with an economy driven by smallholder farming and mining.
Meanwhile, three candidates successfully filed their nomination papers at the Masvingo Magistrates’ Court’s nomination court to contest the forthcoming Gutu East parliamentary by-election. They are Mr Gift Gonese (independent), Cde Zvarevashe Masvingise of Zanu-PF, and Mr Zivanai Nzvenga of the NCA party.
ZEC presiding officer Mr Taurai Gavi confirmed that a by-election would be held to elect a new legislator for Gutu East Constituency, following the successful filing of multiple nominations.
The by-election was necessitated by the expulsion of Mr Benjamin Ganyiwa from Zanu-PF. Mr Ganyiwa was elected as the Gutu East National Assembly representative in the 2023 harmonised elections but was later expelled from the party, resulting in the seat becoming vacant.
Cde Masvingise of Zanu-PF pledged to help the party retain the seat in the upcoming by-election.
“I want to assure our First Secretary and President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, that come by-election day, I will deliver the parliamentary seat with a very huge margin,” said Cde Masvingise.
He said that the Second Republic’s people-centred projects had made his campaign easier, citing numerous transformative initiatives being rolled out by the Zanu-PF Government that are positively impacting people’s lives.
Mr Gonese promised to prioritise internet connectivity, particularly in schools across Gutu East, ahead of the election.
“We will soon embark on a programme to ensure all schools in Gutu East have internet connectivity. We already have Starlink kits ready for distribution. We also want all dip tanks to be operational, and farmers will receive affordable loans to expand their agricultural activities,” said Mr Gonese.
Zanu-PF won 24 out of 26 seats in the 2023 harmonised elections in Masvingo Province, maintaining its political dominance in the region.
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Bongani Ndlovu