Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka [email protected]
ZANU-PF has expressed strong confidence of securing a decisive victory in the forthcoming Tsholotsho Rural District Council (RDC) by-elections scheduled for June 20, 2026, following primary elections held on Saturday to select candidates.
The by-elections will be held in Wards 1, 10 and 21, which fell vacant after the Government dismissed three Tsholotsho RDC councillors following an independent tribunal probe into allegations of criminal abuse of office and fraud.
In the primary elections, Cde Lindiwe Mkhwananzi won Ward 1 after polling 150 votes against Cde Mavis Gumbi’s 72 votes, while Cde Mthabisi Vundla and Cde Samson Mzondo Ncube garnered 12 and 10 votes respectively. A total of 248 votes were cast, with four spoiled ballots recorded.
In Ward 10, Cde Simbisai Ndlovu emerged victorious after securing 345 votes ahead of Cde Thuleleni Tshuma, who received 129 votes, while Cde Phillip Dube polled 35 votes. The total votes cast stood at 521, including 12 spoiled ballots.
Ward 21 was won by Cde Phillip Mvundla, who garnered 135 votes against Cde Britain Sibanda’s 109 votes. Of the 252 votes cast, eight were spoiled.
Speaking after the polls, Zanu-PF Matabeleland North provincial secretary for administration Cde Douglas Khoza said the primary elections were conducted peacefully and reflected the party’s organisational strength in the province.
He commended the smooth running of the process.
“All went well and all candidates who applied and submitted CVs to contest in the primary elections were able to participate as per their applications. Of importance is that the elections were conducted peacefully and in a jovial environment.”
Cde Khoza said the peaceful conduct of the elections demonstrated party unity and preparedness ahead of the by-elections. He expressed confidence that Zanu-PF would retain the wards, citing development projects implemented under the Second Republic in Matabeleland North Province.
“As Matabeleland North people, much has been done by the Second Republic under the stewardship of His Excellency the President and First Secretary of the Party, Cde Dr E.D. Mnangagwa, in uplifting and improving the economic and social status of our communities, especially in Tsholotsho District, in terms of the provision of water, clinics, schools and roads, just to mention a few.
“This acts as an impetus for the Tsholotsho communities to vote for Zanu-PF. Any opposition party that comes into this race will be competing in an already won race. No one can stop the developmental train driven by His Excellency the President, Cde Dr ED Mnangagwa, in Matabeleland North,” he said.
The by-elections follow the dismissal of three of the five Tsholotsho RDC councillors who had earlier been suspended this year by Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe over allegations of criminal abuse of office and fraud.
The councillors faced allegations involving abuse of CAMPFIRE funds and other offences.
Those who were under investigation were Witness Khumalo (Ward 1), Jabulani Sigagula (Ward 7), Busani Vundla (Ward 6), Jonathan Ndlovu (Ward 10) and Felix Tshuma (Ward 21).
Following their suspension in February, Minister Garwe appointed an independent tribunal to investigate the allegations and allow the councillors to respond to the charges.
Three councillors were subsequently dismissed, paving the way for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to proclaim June 20, 2026, as the date for the by-elections in the affected wards.
The dismissed councillors are reportedly challenging their dismissal at the High Court.
Meanwhile, Zanu-PF structures in Tsholotsho have already begun mobilising support ahead of the by-elections, with party officials expressing optimism that the ruling party will secure decisive victories in all the contested wards.
