ZANU PF launches full-scale blitz to win Mutare Ward 3

Samuel Kadungure
News Editor
ZANU PF Manicaland has unleashed a coordinated mobilisation blitz in Mutare Central Constituency Ward Three, with senior officials and grassroots structures meeting at Sakubva Beit Hall on Wednesday to cement unity and deliver a decisive victory in the August 1 by-election.
Provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza declared the seat “non-negotiable”, urging all party members to set aside personal differences, reject division, and rally solidly behind ZANU PF candidate, Cde Portia Gwinyai.
Speaking at the Ward Three leadership meeting, Cde Mukodza said the province must replicate the record mobilisation that saw Manicaland rank among the best during the recent Constitutional Amendment Bill (CAB3) public consultations.
“We must win this Ward Three seat at all costs. Losing is not an option. Victory is guaranteed if we remain united. We have mobilised good numbers in support of the Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3, and we need to maintain the momentum and do the same in this by-election. If you did not like the candidate, that is okay, but you must vote for the party. You are voting for ZANU PF, not the candidate. See the party, and agree to its choice of a candidate. You cannot claim to love and unwavering support for President Emmerson Mnangagwa, when you do not like the party candidate he has approved. We need to be peaceful and shun violent campaign. We must persuade people to vote for ZANU PF – love, unity of purpose and one voice are key to winning this election. Let us bury our differences and rally fully behind Cde Gwinyai. This seat belongs to ZANU PF, and we must deliver it with a big margin,” said Cde Mukodza.
The meeting was attended by district, ward and cell leaders, who resolved to deploy a door-to-door campaign across all suburbs in Ward Three, to ensure that every household receives the party’s development message ahead of the polling day.
Cde Mukodza challenged structures to anchor the campaign on unity, governance and delivery, saying the Second Republic under President Mnangagwa has brought tangible transformation to Mutare through road rehabilitation, market modernisation, water and sanitation projects, and youth empowerment programmes.
He said the by-election is an opportunity for Ward Three residents to endorse that development trajectory and reject retrogressive politics.
“Let bygones be bygones. This is not the time for finger-pointing. This is the time for building. The people of Ward Three need service delivery, not chaos. ZANU PF is the only party with a proven track record of delivering clinics, schools, roads and jobs. We must sell that record peacefully, respectfully and with one voice,” said Cde Mukodza, sternly warning against the politics of bhora musango.
He said any act of sabotage or internal bickering will be treated as a betrayal of President Mnangagwa’s vision and the people of Mutare.
To avoid blame-shifting, Cde Mukodza directed that a joint command team be established, comprising the provincial executive, district leadership, war veterans, women’s league, youth league and the candidate’s campaign team. The team will monitor mobilisation, resolve disputes internally, and report daily on progress until August 1.
“We are going to run a seamless, non-violent campaign that includes everyone. We will use a sector approach, and from the province to the cell, no one will be left behind. We will persuade, not intimidate. We will unite, not divide. That is the ZANU PF way,” said Cde Mukodza.
He also applauded Manicaland for its outstanding contribution during the CAB3 public consultations, and said the same energy must now be channelled into voter education and get-out-the-vote drives in Ward Three.
The meeting also received reports on logistical preparations, including the deployment of campaign materials, community meetings, and engagement with churches, vendors’ associations and resident groups in the ward.
Cde Mukodza encouraged supporters to continue backing the leadership of President Mnangagwa, whose people-centred development agenda continues to transform communities across Zimbabwe.
“August 1 is our day. Let us go out in our numbers, vote peacefully, and deliver this seat to ZANU PF with a margin that will be talked about. The development of Mutare depends on it,” he said.
The meeting was convened by provincial political commissar, Cde Albert Nyakuedzwa, who invited party leadership, aspiring candidates and grassroots structures to chart the way forward for the campaign.
Cde Nyakuedzwa said the principal agenda of the meeting was to ensure absolute unity within the party ahead of the by-election, emphasising that members should not focus on individual candidates but instead rally behind the ZANU PF banner, stressing that the victory belongs to the party and not to any one individual.
Cde Nyakuedzwa applauded the spirit of unity demonstrated by all ZANU PF aspiring candidates who had contested during the party’s internal selection process.
The candidates attended the meeting together and publicly declared their commitment to work hand in hand with Cde Gwinyai.
ZANU PF Central Committee member, Cde Getrude Mutandi, called on the party to adequately support the candidate by providing her with requisite material and logistical support.
She presented the candidate with two tonnes of rice from herself and Senator Irene Zindi, while provincial chairlady, Cde Dorothy Mabika, chipped in with 10 bags she had sourced.