Peaceful by-elections in Insiza North, Gutu East

Sikhumbuzo Moyo in Insiza & George Maponga in Gutu

VOTERS braved the chilly morning weather yesterday to go and cast their votes in the Insiza North by-election in Matabeleland South Province with all 67 polling stations opening up at 7am and closing for business at 7pm.

There was general peace and tranquillity throughout the constituency, with voters going in and out of polling stations without any hindrances.

Four candidates are vying for the vacant seat following the death of Cde Farai Taruvinga of Zanu-PF, who succumbed to cancer recently.

In an interview soon after the closing of polling, the Insiza District Elections Officer, Ms Simangele Vika, said as Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) they were happy with the voting process in Insiza North.

“The procedure went smoothly, I am happy. Everything went well. Our polling stations opened at 7am, and people came to cast their votes and at exactly 7pm, all our polling stations closed.

“We had a number of people that were turned away because they were not on the voters’ roll for the Insiza North by-elections as at 3 May when our voters roll for this by-election closed. The turnout was quite good. People came out to cast their vote and as we speak the counting and collation process has started,” said Ms Vika.

Zanu-PF candidate Cde Delani Moyo went to the polls against Mr Thabani Mlotshwa of Zapu, Mr Mbongeni Moyo of the Zimbabwe National Revival Party as well as an independent, Mr Lesley Dube.

Speaking after casting his vote at Pioneer Primary School, Cde Moyo said victory was all but certain.

“I woke up this morning (yesterday) as a very strong and confident man. I knew that the day for the victors had finally come. Before I came to my polling station, I first moved around certain polling stations just to check and what I saw was very impressive. I met jubilant party supporters who were on their way or had just cast their votes.

Victory is indeed certain. Zanu-PF is a revolutionary giant,” said a confident Cde Moyo.

Cde Moyo said he will continue with projects that were started by both his predecessor, the late Cde Taruvinga and himself once the election formalities are done.

“The classroom block where we voted had its entire roof completed by me. I also constructed the teachers’ cottage at this school, but more is still needed so once officially in Parliament as Insiza North representative, these and many more other projects will certainly be expedited,” said Cde Moyo.

He said Zimbabweans, Insiza North included, have seen the great works that have been done by the Second Republic under the leadership of President Mnangagwa and would therefore ensure that Zanu-PF remains in power for the continuity of the many projects.

In the Gutu East parliamentary by-election voting ended peacefully yesterday with voters braving the cold weather to cast their ballots at various polling stations in the constituency.

Polling started at 7am across virtually all the 56 polling centres across Gutu East, where turnout was average.

The voting climate was peaceful across the constituency with no incidents of violence or challenges in the voting process recorded.

Three candidates, Mr Gift Gonese (Independent) Cde Zvarevashe Masvingise (Zanu-PF) and Mr Zivanai Nzvenga (NCA) were fighting for the sole ticket to represent Gutu East in the National Assembly.

The Sunday Mail visited polling stations such as Chin’ombe Clinic and Batanai Primary School.

Ambuya Sorotiya Gumbu of Maguraushe Village said she was happy to have voted flawlessly.

“I am happy that I have voted, the process went on very well, and I did not even take time to go through the process because there are no queues.”

Mr Alfonce Mazuru from Mupindimbi area, who cast his vote at Batanai Primary School, said:

“I did not take long to cast my vote because, as you can see, there are no queues, so I am satisfied that I finished the process quickly and now I am going back home for some other chores,” he said.

ZEC constituency elections officer, Mr Earnest Rukwidzo said there were no glitches across the constituency.
Vote counting was expected to start soon after the close of polling at 7pm yesterday evening in all centres.

The results were expected to be announced at the ZEC constituency command centre at Alheit Mission High School.