Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Zimpapers Politics Hub
NINE candidates successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court at the Tredgold Building in Bulawayo yesterday and will battle it out in the upcoming National Assembly by election for the Nkulumane Constituency seat.
The by-election is scheduled for December 20, 2025 to fill the vacancy following the tragic death of the constituency’s legislator, Desire Moyo, in a road accident on October 10 this year.
President Mnangagwa officially proclaimed the by-election in line with the country’s electoral laws and set the date for the election.
The Nomination Court opened at 10am yesterday and closed at 4pm with a high volume of prospective candidates seeking to represent the constituency.
The list of nominated candidates features a mix of seasoned politicians, party representatives and independent aspirants.
These include the ruling Zanu-PF party’s Bulawayo provincial youth chairperson, Cde Freedom Murechu, Citizens Coalition for Change’s (CCC) Mr Mothusi Ndlovu, who is popularly known as Madlela Skhobokhobo.
Also contesting is Mr Alson Moyo of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), and Mrs Nompilo Ncube-Malaba representing the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC).
The field is completed by four independent candidates, former Bulawayo City Council (BCC) Councillor for Ward 22, Alderman Rodney Jele, Mrs Ester Excellia Zitha, the widow of the late legislator, Moyo and Mr Mbuso Fuzwayo.
Also in the race is Mr Vivian Viyo Sibanda (Zapu) and Ms Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T).
Addressing journalists at the close of the nomination process, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) presiding officer, Mr Richard Sibanda, confirmed the final number of candidates, acknowledging that the high number would likely lead to a closely fought contest.
“It has been a long day today, but the result is that nine candidates have been duly nominated to contest on the 20th of December 2025,” he said.
“It will still be a mammoth task for an election with nine candidates. All the nominations were well received, we did not have any hitches or problems, all went well,” said Mr Sibanda, hailing the smoothness of the process.
The aspiring candidates were unanimous in their praise for ZEC, saying they were impressed by the efficiency of the nomination process and the cordial relationship displayed among people from different political parties, which they said showed the country’s democracy has matured tremendously.
Cde Murechu, expressed confidence in his readiness to contest and his party’s preparation.
“I have successfully submitted all papers to the Nomination Court, and the process was very smooth.
“The party made sure that we submitted our nomination papers through our legal department. All these papers were prepared well in advance of the Nomination Court,” he said.
Cde Murechu was pleased that the process only took 10 minutes.
“I am very happy that I will be representing the party as the candidate for the Nkulumane Constituency.
“I am very happy to run, and I am also very happy to join the party at this time. I am confident in the party’s direction, and I am thankful for that confidence,” he stated.
He further urged unity and peace in the constituency.
“I also want to urge all of us, especially in Nkulumane Constituency, to maintain the peaceful environment we are currently experiencing.
“The Nomination Court has set the stage for the by-election. We must all work together to implement the Government’s programmes and ensure that the goal of social development by 2030 is fulfilled, truly leaving no one, no place, and in this case, and leaving nothing behind in Nkulumane,” he added.
Ald Jele also hailed the process as smooth, noting there were no hiccups.
His sentiments were echoed by fellow independent candidate Mr Fuzwayo and ZANC’s Mrs Ncube-Malaba.
Meanwhile, Madlela Skhobokhobo said his motivation came from the community.
“I was approached by the Nkulumane people. They encouraged me to take over from where my brother Desire had left.
“If I am given the chance, I will be able to continue with the work that Moyo had been doing,” he said.
