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Harare Bureau
Zanu-PF has overwhelmingly won the Chimanimani West National Assembly by-election, where the party’s candidate, Cde Nokuthula Matsikenyere, whitewashed the opposition parties and independent candidates.
She polled 11 074 votes against independent candidate Peter Mtetwa who amassed 3 018, Renewal Democrats of Zimbabwe’s Peter Gudyanga (183) and National Constitutional Assembly’s Peter Musaruka who garnered 171 votes in Saturday’s by-election.
Zanu-PF Secretary for Administration Cde Ignatius Chombo was delighted with the result and pointed to the strength of the candidate and party-level democratic processes that saw Cde Matsikenyere representing the constituency.
He said: “Our candidate in Chimanimani is well known to the residents of that area, which made it easier for the party to win. Other candidates were unknown to the electorate.” He drew comparisons with the Norton upset saying Zanu-PF had got its cards right this time around.
“In Norton, Temba Mliswa had an element of clout having been chairman of the province so name recognition was easier. Whatever mistakes were made in Norton, it was a learning experience. The party changed tactics and won resoundingly,” said Cde Chombo.
Cde Matsikenyere on Saturday won the by-election for the seat previously held by expelled Zanu-PF member, Engineer Munacho Mutezo.
The voting took place smoothly and peacefully and survived the scare of heavy rains that could render some places impassable, with results being announced early morning Sunday. The result banished the ruling party’s recent loss in Norton, and Zanu-PF’s relief was evident.
Cde Matsikenyere attributed her win to unity within the party and a campaign blitz that saw heavies descending on Chimanimani to drum up her support. “This win was as a result of unity and the support that we got from national, provincial and district levels,” said Cde Matsikenyere.
“There was no disunity and we worked together as one team,” she said. She said Chimanimani West would “never be the same again”.
“We are going to champion development through projects for youth and women. We are going to provide water to the people — already we have sunk boreholes and we are going to undertake de-siltation of dams so that they hold enough for irrigation activities,” pledged Cde Matsikenyere.
Her closest rival, Mr Mtetwa, conceded defeat but claimed there had been intimidation of the electorate, although no official reports confirmed this.
Online Reporter