adminAuxilia Katongomara Chronicle Reporter
THE emphatic victory by Zanu-PF in Wednesday’s by-elections lays the foundation for a clean sweep in the 2018 general elections, the ruling party’s provincial chairperson for Bulawayo Cde Dennis Ndlovu said yesterday.
He said Bulawayo residents had finally been swayed to vote for the revolutionary party as they had noted it had more to offer than opposition parties.
“We’re not in the habit of making empty promises. All we can say is that we’re on the ground for residents to see for themselves the vast difference voting that Zanu-PF brings,” said Cde Ndlovu.
He said in the run up to the by-elections, the ruling party recorded massive defections from the opposition.
He said the electorate had realised the futility of voting opposition parties that were only interested in lining their pockets once they got into office.
“During the campaign period we got more members coming to join us from other parties. People in Bulawayo have realised that Zanu-PF is the only party in the country that has the people at heart,” said Cde Ndlovu.
He said victory celebrations for the winning candidates would be held soon.
Meanwhile, victory celebrations for Makokoba constituency where Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube won have been slated for June 27 at Stanley Square.
He polled 3,182 votes against Jonathan Ndlovu of Zapu who got 352, Ngwenya Mable (NCA) 9, Wilson Peter Harry (MKD) 85, Nkomo Sehlelo (TZ) 38, Dlodlo Toan (Independent) 76, and Sibangilizwe Msipha (Independent) 473. Makokoba constituency fell vacant after the ejection from parliament by MDC-T of Gorden Moyo who beat Cde Dube in the 2013 general elections.
Cde Dube on Wednesday took time to thank party supporters for voting him and promised to work hard to improve the lives of the people in his constituency.
The ruling party won all five parliamentary by-elections in Bulawayo, the first time the party has had a directly elected MP in the city since 2000.
The by-elections were held in Makokoba, Pelandaba-Mpopoma, Lobengula, Pumula and Luveve.
Zanu-PF candidates, Cdes Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo, Maidei Mpala, Joseph Tshuma and Godfrey Malaba won.
Neither the MDC nor MDC Renewal had the appetite to fight Zanu-PF in the by-elections, leaving the ruling party to face inferior opposition, including Dumiso Dabengwa’s Zapu.
Online Reporter