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Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
ZANU-PF is ready to reclaim the seven parliamentary seats from the opposition MDC-T in Bulawayo, Matabeleland North and Midlands provinces in the June 10 by-elections.
In separate interviews, the revolutionary party leadership in the three provinces said they were satisfied with the massive campaigns that Zanu-PF carried out in the past month.
The leadership said during the campaigns they met with the grassroots in an exercise aimed at promoting personal interaction with the electorate.
Zanu-PF is confident of winning a constituency in Bulawayo for the first time in 15 years as it is fielding proven candidates in the five constituencies namely; Lobengula (Cde Maideyi Mpala), Luveve (Cde Ntandoyenkosi Mlilo), Pumula (Cde Godfrey Malaba Ncube), Mpopoma-Pelandaba (Cde Joseph Tshuma) and Makokoba (Cde Tshinga Dube).
Bulawayo provincial secretary for Information and Publicity, Cde Christopher Sibanda said road shows held in the five constituencies had been a success and they were confident of reclaiming the lost seats.
“The province has been united and we’ve been holding road shows in the five constituencies. I’m confident that we did cover enough ground to reclaim the seats,” said Cde Sibanda.
He said the province was going to hold a star rally on Saturday at White City Stadium which he said would be addressed by Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Cde Sibanda said VP Mnangagwa would then proceed to Barbourfields Stadium for the Highlanders FC bus hand-over ceremony.
Matabeleland North provincial chairperson, Cde Richard Moyo said after weeks of vigorous campaigning, they were optimistic that the party’s preferred candidate, Professor Jonathan Moyo would reclaim his seat.
He said Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko would cap the Tsholotsho campaigns with a star rally in Tsholotsho on Sunday.
“All is set for the by-election and we’re positive that we’re taking back the seat,” said Cde Moyo.
Midlands Province acting chairperson, Cde Kizito Chivamba said the party campaigned well for its candidate and Mbizo Constituency was going to be won by Zanu-PF.
He said the party candidate, Cde Vongaishe Mupereri and his campaign team had done their homework ahead of the by-election.
“On Monday, the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Cde Oppah Muchinguri will address a star rally at Mbizo Stadium,” he said.
The by-election follows the booting out of 21 MDC-T legislators from Parliament after they crossed the floor to join Tendai Biti’s MDC Renewal Team.
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu