Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka, Senior Political Reporter
ZANU-PF Matabeleland North has said President Mnangagwa’s people-centred development agenda and his Government’s commitment to grassroots empowerment are at the heart of its campaign strategy as the ruling party seeks to secure all three seats in the Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) by-elections set for 20 June.
The by-elections will be contested in Wards 1, 10 and 21, where seven candidates successfully filed nomination papers, with the ruling party expressing confidence of winning all the seats.
Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial Secretary for Administration Cde Douglas Khoza said the party is gaining ground in the two wards previously held by opposition councillors, while it was confident of retaining Ward 10.
“Campaigns are progressing well and Zanu-PF is gaining 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 retaining 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.
In Ward 1, Zanu-PF candidate Cde Lindiwe Mkwananzi will face independent candidate Mr Solani Mlilo, while Ward 10 has attracted three candidates — Cde Simbisai Ndlovu of Zanu-PF, Mr Mhlukanisi Washington Ncube of Zapu and independent candidate Mr Ntando Siziba.
Ward 21 will see Zanu-PF’s Cde Phillip Mvundla contest against independent candidate Mr Marx Sibanda.
Cde Khoza said residents in the two opposition-held wards had expressed willingness to support Zanu-PF, citing development differences between areas under the party’s leadership and those previously controlled by the opposition.
“The other two wards are in Tsholotsho North, which were won by the opposition. The people there have seen the developmental differences between the two constituencies and have promised to correct the outcome of the last general elections,” he said.
He said the party is confident of victory because it is campaigning on the strength of President Mnangagwa’s leadership and development programmes.
“Zanu-PF is confident of whitewashing whoever stands to contest these by-elections because we are campaigning under the banner of a great leader and an icon of rural masses’ emancipation, His Excellency President Dr ED Mnangagwa,” said Cde Khoza.
He said some of the major concerns raised by residents during campaigns included access to clinics, water challenges and household income-generating projects.
According to Cde Khoza, the party believes these challenges are being addressed through Government programmes such as the Presidential Borehole Drilling Programme and the establishment of village business units around solarised boreholes.
“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,” he said.
Cde Khoza said President Mnangagwa’s philosophy of leaving no one and no place behind had continued to influence support for Zanu-PF in 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.
“Matabeleland North is no longer the same in the Second Republic. It has become a leader in national economic capital projects that have improved the socio-economic status of our communities since independence.”
The by-elections were triggered after the Government dismissed councillors following investigations into allegations including the abuse of Campfire funds and other offences.
The affected councillors — Witness Khumalo (Ward 1), Jonathan Ndlovu (Ward 10) and Felix Tshuma (Ward 21), among others — had been suspended in February by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Daniel Garwe, before an independent tribunal was appointed to investigate the allegations.
Following the dismissals, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) proclaimed June 20, 2026 as the date for the by-elections.
