adminHarare Bureau
ZANU-PF demonstrated once again that it is Zimbabwe’s most formidable political force after Cde Banwell Seremwe emphatically won Friday’s Mt Darwin West National Assembly by-elections. Cde Seremwe coasted to a big victory, bagging 18 315 votes while Mr Kennedy Fungai of TZ got 302 and the NCA’s Mr Rueben Mafigu got 216.
In the 2013 harmonised elections, Zanu-PF polled 22 877 votes in Mt Darwin West.
With turnout traditionally lower in by-elections than in harmonised polls, the number of votes cast on Friday was relatively high, indicating Zanu-PF’s ability to mobilise its supporters and the party’s widespread support within the electorate.
At Dotito Growth Point, Zanu-PF national political commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere urged Cde Seremwe to “hit the ground running”.
“I have come here to congratulate the province and the party and above all, the candidate who is now MP-elect. Polling over 18 000 votes is not a joke, more so given that this is only a by-election. You have shown us that the people remain behind the party and we are going to be behind you as well.
“The people have done their part and now it is up to you to start work and deliver upon your promises. It is now time to deliver.”
Cde Seremwe said that constituency development was his foremost goal.
“I will continue working in the community to facilitate development and upliftment of the people. We have programmes that are already ongoing and we intend to step up what we have already been doing for years with regards to building more schools, establishing irrigation schemes, developing our roads among other pressing issues facing the constituency.”
Mr Mutodza conceded defeat, saying the elections were conducted on a level playing field.
“The elections were free and fair. There were no incidents, intimidation or violence in the constituency. We were beaten clean by the Zanu-PF candidate. I never thought I would get all those votes (79). Actually, I thought I would only get two votes.”
Mt Darwin West became vacant when Dr Joice Mujuru was appointed VP after the 31 July 2013 elections, a post she was fired from in December 2014.
Online Reporter