Online Reporter
Raymond Jaravaza, [email protected]
THE ruling party, Zanu-PF, has successfully conducted a primary election in Insiza North constituency, with Cde Delani Moyo emerging victorious against six other candidates during the vote held on Wednesday.
The party is prepared to defend its position in the June 14 by-election, which became necessary after the passing of Cde Farai Taruvinga.
Cde Mangaliso Ndlovu, the Zanu-PF Matabeleland South provincial chairman, confirmed the results of the re-run primary election.
He noted that the party had addressed concerns from its members, which prompted the re-run of the primary elections after the initial vote on May 3 was declared null and void.
The ruling party nullified the previous election, citing concerns that the exercise had failed “to meet the minimum accepted standards”.
In yesterday’s election, Cde Moyo received 1 588 votes ahead of second-placed Cde Moses Langa and Cde Qhubani Moyo, who polled 1 185 and 837 respectively.
Cde Davison Moyo got 94 votes in fourth place, followed by Cde Sifiso Mpofu with 54 votes. Cde Nkosana Mthunzi received 21 while Cde Enerst Ncube got 19 votes.
“As a party, we take seriously our electoral processes and democracy and where we feel we didn’t do as well as we would have wanted to, the Politburo always gives guidance,” said Cde Ndlovu in response to the conditions that led to the re-run.
“The nomination court sits tomorrow (today) and as a party, we have to make sure that all the processes are done in time and that we are ready to have our candidate duly registered.”
Cde Ndlovu said the party is ready to win the seat which fell vacant following the death of Cde Taruvinga in March after a long battle with cancer.
“Of course, we are confident that Zanu-PF will reclaim the Insiza North seat. We appreciate that although we had to fast-track the re-run, the concerns raised by some of our people in the Zanu-PF structures were taken on board, leading to the re-run,” he said.
“We also appreciate that an election will always have complaints and we have a duty and responsibility as a party leadership to address those concerns and there are various ways of doing that, including, in this particular instance, the need for a re-run.
“The people identify and connect with the manner we address their concerns and I can assure everyone that Zanu-PF will win resoundingly in the Insiza North by-election,” said Cde Ndlovu.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has started accrediting election observers and media practitioners in preparation for by-elections in Gutu East and Insiza North National Assembly constituencies and three local authority wards.
In a statement, ZEC chief elections officer, Mr Simbarashe Tongayi, said they have set the criterion for accreditation of election observers.
“The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission hereby invites applications from observers and the media for accreditation to observe the National Assembly and local authority by elections for Gutu East National Assembly constituency, Insiza North National Assembly, Masvingo RDC ward 34, Binga RDC ward 4 and Chipinge RDC ward 5 to be held on 14 June 2025,” reads the statement.
The election management body wants applications to have been received by June 1, 2025. The accreditation blitz will run from June 1 to June 14, 2025.
The statement stipulates fees for different categories of observers that include locals, those within the African continent and those outside the continent.
In Gutu East, Zanu-PF will be represented by Cde Zvarevashe Masvingise, while other political parties are yet to provide their candidates. The Gutu East parliamentary seat fell vacant after the recall from Parliament of former legislator Cde Benyamin Ganyiwa.
The ruling party has expressed confidence in reclaiming the Gutu East Parliamentary seat, citing achievements by the Second Republic across various communities.
It has since launched its campaign at Muchekayaora Business Centre in the constituency, anchored on party unity and its commitment to uplifting communities through ongoing national development initiatives.
The launch was attended by the party’s national political commissar, Cde Munyaradzi Machacha and the provincial leadership led by chairman Cde Robson Mavhenyengwa.
The by-election comes as Zanu-PF is buoyed by its recent election victory in Glen View South, in which its candidate, Cde Tsitsi Tawomhera, wrestled the seat previously held by the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.
