Online Reporter
Joseph Madzimure, Zimpapers Writer
ZANU-PF has once again demonstrated its political strength and popularity by delivering a decisive blow to the opposition, sweeping Saturday’s local authority by-elections in urban areas previously considered opposition strongholds.
The party secured victories in Epworth Ward 6 and Chinhoyi Ward 14.
In Epworth Ward 6, Zanu-PF candidate Cde Civilised Bushe won by a landslide, garnering 3 022 votes against MDC-T’s Alice Nyahunzvi, who received 120 votes, while independent candidate Peter Nyapetwa managed 23 votes. The results were announced by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) elections officer Mr Ocean Chenjerai Chirere.
The local authority seat had been held by the opposition since 2000. The win was attributed to several developmental projects implemented in the area, including the installation of 16 solar-powered boreholes, road upgrades, and free medical treatment.
Zanu-PF Harare Province had mounted a rigorous campaign focused on community-impacting projects in the area, once a bastion of opposition support.
Meanwhile, in Ward 14 Chinhoyi, Zanu-PF’s candidate Cde Solomon Bizwork won with 599 votes, defeating independent candidate Hope Zimbiri, who secured 194 votes. The results were announced by ZEC elections officer Mr Taona Pfunye.
In recent weeks, the ruling party has made significant gains, winning all six by-elections held in Masvingo, Mashonaland East, and Mashonaland Central. Victories were recorded in Chikomba Ward 10, Chiredzi Ward 4, Marondera Ward 6, Mazowe Ward 19, and Gutu Wards 10 and 14.
Epworth Ward 6 winner Cde Bushe expressed gratitude to the electorate for their confidence in him and the party.
“I am truly excited by the victory. It was well deserved. The party has implemented numerous projects in Ward 6 in a short space of time before the elections. This shows Zanu-PF’s seriousness. The community had been neglected by the opposition for over two decades,” said Cde Bushe.
He pledged to continue developing the area.
“It is my obligation as councillor to serve Ward 6 with dignity,” he emphasised.
Zanu-PF Harare Provincial Chairman Cde Godwills Masimirembwa said the party is on a revival path in Harare. He described the Epworth Ward 6 by-election as a thunderous statement, with voters resoundingly choosing Zanu-PF, marking a remarkable transformation.
He attributed the shift in political allegiance to the life-changing impact of President Mnangagwa’s Presidential Emergency Medical Scheme, spearheaded by Discovery Ambulance Services founder Mr David Munowenyu in collaboration with the Ministry of Health.
He said President Mnangagwa’s visionary leadership in establishing the scheme has ignited hope, healing, and progress in marginalised communities, reinforcing Zanu-PF’s position as the party of choice for Zimbabweans.
“The scheme’s wide-reaching impact, including life-saving medical services and the fight against drug and substance abuse, spearheaded by Discovery Ambulance Services in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Child Care, has left a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of many,” he said.
“We have been winning the by-elections by large margins. It’s a clear sign that Zanu-PF is unstoppable and will win future elections,” he added.
Cde Masimirembwa thanked President Mnangagwa, the party’s First Secretary, for his inclusive campaign approach, which incorporated affiliate organisations and the business community during the Ward 6 campaign.
“We saw a number of affiliate organisations participating in the campaign — Cde Kudakwashe Tagwirei, Discovery Ambulances, Boys Dzamdara, Health Ambassadors for Economic Development, Young Women for Economic Development, and others. No one was left behind,” said Cde Masimirembwa.
Harare Provincial Political Commissar Cde Voyage Dambuza said the results were encouraging, reflecting the electorate’s confidence in the ruling party.
“As Zanu-PF, we feel invigorated. This puts our detractors to shame and shows that we are the party of the people, holding the aspirations of the nation. The continued trust from the people humbles us and motivates us to keep serving the nation,” said Cde Dambuza.
Zanu-PF Mashonaland West Provincial Chairman Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka was elated with the win, stating that President Mnangagwa’s policies are winning the hearts of voters.
Political analyst Mr Tongai Dana said the victories were inevitable.
“If the opposition does not reorganise itself urgently, the pace has been set for the remaining by-elections — even in their former strongholds. Disorder is the nemesis of success. Zanu-PF’s long-standing visionary leadership, especially under the Second Republic led by Dr Mnangagwa, and the party’s transformative policy positions have contributed to its growing support base,” he said.
Zanu-PF continues to implement people-centred policies aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into a middle-income economy by 2030. Since last year’s conference, the party has spearheaded unprecedented infrastructure development programmes nationwide.
President Mnangagwa, as the party’s First Secretary, has launched numerous projects worth billions of dollars in both rural and urban centres, as part of a broader strategy to achieve Vision 2030. These include the construction of health facilities, road upgrades, industrial processing ventures, and power generation projects.
Bongani Ndlovu