Online Reporter
Gibson Mhaka
ZANU PF is confident of a resounding victory in the forthcoming Tsholotsho Rural District Council by-elections scheduled for June 20, 2026, following peaceful primary elections held on Saturday.
The by-elections will be held in Wards 1, 10 and 21, which became vacant after the Government dismissed three 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. Out of the 252 total votes cast, eight were spoiled.
Speaking after the polls, Zanu PF Matabeleland North provincial secretary for administration, Cde Douglas Khoza, said the primary elections reflected the party’s organisational strength in the province.
He commended the smooth running of the democratic 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,” he said.
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 comfortably retain the wards, citing developmental projects implemented under the Second Republic.
“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 ED 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,” he said.
“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 President Mnangagwa, in Matabeleland North.”
The by-elections follow the dismissal of three of the five Tsholotsho Rural District Council councillors who had been suspended earlier this year by 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).
Three councillors were subsequently dismissed, paving the way for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission to proclaim June 20, 2026, as the date for the by-elections in the affected wards.
