Chronicle Editor
Patrick Chitumba and Mthabisi Tshuma, Chronicle Reporters
THE ruling party Zanu-PF has retained the Gokwe-Kabuyuni constituency after its candidate, Cde Spencer Tshuma, thrashed CCC’s Mr Costin Muguti by 10 727 votes against 4 800 votes. Zanu-PF won 69 percent of valid votes against 31 percent for CCC. Over 15 000 voters cast their vote in a peaceful election held in the constituency on Saturday.
The by-election was to fill the vacancy created following the death of Cde Leonard Chikomba. Gokwe- Kabuyuni has traditionally been held by Zanu-PF and as expected, the ruling party retained it.
The constituency’s elections officer, Mr Kudzai Nkomo, declared Cde Tshuma winner of the by-election after announcing the results. “Costin Muguti 4 800 votes, Spencer Tshuma 10 727 votes. By the powers vested in me, I duly declare Tshuma Spencer the winner of the Gokwe- Kabuyuni by-election,” announced Mr Nkomo.
Zec spokesperson Commissioner Jasper Maphosa said the by -election went on well without any notable incidents. “The polls progressed in a peaceful manner as there were no incidents of disorderly conduct recorded as was the situation prior to the by-election,” he said.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial chairperson Cde Larry Mavima said the by-election victory is significant as it proves that the ruling party is a people’s party.
He said the party has been on a mass mobilisation exercise ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections. “We are very happy to have retained the seat. It has always been ours and this victory shows that we are energised as a party. It’s also a reflection that President Mnangagwa is loved across the country. He is the people’s President and come 2023 it will be a whitewash in favour of us,” said Cde Mavima.
Mr Muguti refused to comment. A jubilant Cde Tshuma thanked the party supporters for voting for him and the ruling party.
He promised to continue with programmes such as borehole drilling and road rehabilitation meant to improve the people’s welfare. “This is a dream come true and I am happy that we have retained the seat. I want to promise a better life for the people of Gokwe-Kabuyuni. What we have been doing in drilling boreholes and constructing dams will continue as we go forward,” he said.
Zanu PF Central Committee member, Engineer Daniel Mackenzie Ncube, said the win was a special dedication to Cde Chikomba. “We are dedicating this win to the late Cde Chikomba. He worked so much for the people of this area and the party and we say to him that the victory is his,” he said.
Popularly known as “Bhudhi”, Cde Chikomba died in a car accident in May this year, 20km away from his home along the Gokwe-Chitekete Road when he was coming from a Zanu-PF Provincial Coordinating Committee meeting in Gweru.
Cde Chikomba, who was also a Zanu-PF Central Committee member, was declared a provincial liberation hero given his immense contribution during and after the liberation struggle. Meanwhile, the revolutionary party has expressed confidence of retaining its council seat in the upcoming Malanswazi Ward local authority by-elections in Bulilima West.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Zanu-PF Councillor Delani Mabhena earlier this year. The ruling party supporters on Thursday gathered at Mafeha Hall in Mafeha village to show their solidarity and support during a campaign for the party’s candidate, Cde Experience Dube.
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