Zanu PF basks in glory as party registers landslide victory

Joseph Madzimure Senior Reporter

ZANU PF is basking in glory as the party triumphed to a landslide victory in Saturday’s Gutu West by-election reflecting that the revolutionary is the only party of choice.

The party’s candidate, who is also Zanu PF Deputy Secretary for Youth Affairs in the Politburo, Cde John Paradza, won the seat after polling 12 147 votes, Independent candidate Mr Sebastian Mudzingwa garnered 1 775 votes, to clinch second spot while the CCC candidate Mr Ephraim Morudu got 1 258 votes with Mr Robson Kurwa of NCA garnering 138 votes

The outcome of the results indicated a huge gap in popularity between the ruling Zanu PF and the opposition political parties.

Zanu PF national Political Commissar Cde Mike Bimha this morning said that results from the by-elections showed that the ruling party is making incremental gains as its policies gain traction across the country.

“Zanu PF is a party with a track record of development and delivering independence to our country. We are very excited as a party. We want to make sure that in the impending by-elections, we come victorious,” said Cde Bimha.

He said that the people of Gutu West have always stood by the ruling party.

“As Zanu PF, we want to celebrate and also thank those who had a finger in this victory. In the last elections, of the 10 wards in Gutu West, we won nine wards in terms of our local authorities with the exception of one. Gutu West has always been our stronghold,” he said.

He commended Vice President Kembo Mohadi, First Lady Amai Mnangagwa and other Politburo members for campaigning vigorously for the party’s candidate in Gutu West.

He also commended Zanu PF Masvingo leadership for working in unionism to win the seat.

“I was impressed by the unity of purpose. They looked at it as an issue of concern to the party and everyone in the province came to participate in the campaign, which was very impressive. I would like to encourage other provinces to follow suit.

“I would like to thank the district leadership, provincial leadership, party wings, youth league, women’s league and the war veterans league who all went in full force to support Cde Paradza. This was more of a collective effort; team Zanu PF approach,” he said.