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Herald Reporters—
Zanu-PF swept all three council by-elections held over the weekend, including one in Harare, as the opposition MDC-T and other parties continue to lose support. The win consolidated Zanu-PF’s dominance in local government countrywide with its council haul rising to 1 500 wards to MDC-T’s 443.
In Mbare ward 12, Cde Maureen Nyemba of zanu-pf polled 843 votes to Albert Muponda’s (MDC-T) 835.
Takura Gadzira of NCA polled 76, while independent candidate Jack Ethen Muzanenhamo came in with 26.
The seat fell vacant following the death of MDC-T councillor Misheck Ziwacha.
Zanu-PF retained ward 32 in Zaka when Cde Togarepi Toruvanda romped to victory with 861 votes to the 107 garnered by Elias Mutava of MDC-T, while Enock Chikamhi of NCA managed 62.
There were eight spoiled ballots out of the 1 038 cast.
The by-election followed the death of Zanu-PF’s Cde Isaac Nguyuza.
In Karoi ward 10, Zanu-PF’s Cde Fortunate Madamombe garnered 725 votes against Solomon Chiwenga Musekiwa’s (MDC-T) 226.
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission chief elections officer Mr Lovemore Sekeramayi yesterday said management of the polls went according to plan.
“The elections were peaceful, there were no incidents of violence reported,” he said.
Almost predictably, MDC-T spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora claimed electoral fraud.
“We are very happy that a very significant number of people defied the intimidation and other electoral irregularities to go and vote for the MDC-T. This confirms that the MDC-T is in fact on the rise and is going to overtake Zanu-PF in no time.
“This election results, however, do not show a true picture of the will of the people of the various wards in Sunningdale (Mbare Ward 12.
Officials allowed 56 people to vote using registration slips which had been ruled out during pre-election meetings between all political parties and ZEC,” he said.
Mr Mwonzora claimed the 56 voters were Zanu-PF supporters.
He also alleged that zanu-pf bought votes using drought relief aid in Zaka and Karoi.
He claimed Cde Temba Mliswa (Zanu-PF Mashonaland West chair) and Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs Minister Faber Chidarikire told food distribution officials in Karoi not to give any MDC-T members food relief.
Zanu-PF spokesperson Cde Rugare Gumbo said the victory demonstrated that people were increasingly appreciating Zanu-PF’s policies.
“Zanu-PF is the only party which will bring success in the country and turn around its fortunes. It (the election victory) is a slap in the face of our detractors who think that there is lawlessness in Zimbabwe and that we cannot do anything on our own.
“We hope that the councillors will deliver in their areas. We should now focus on building the economy as a whole,” he said.
He dispelled MDC-T’s claims of electoral fraud.
“They never accept defeat because they are always listening to their Western masters but the reality of the matter is we have acquitted ourselves so many times and we will continue to do so,” he said.
There are 92 rural and urban councils countrywide comprising 1 958 wards, of which Zanu-PF won 1 496 in the July 31, 2013 landmark polls, compared to MDC-T’s 442.
Further rubbing salt in MDC-T’s wound thereafter, MDC-T councillors voted for Zanu-PF mayors and/or deputy mayors in Kwekwe, Redcliff, Victoria Falls and Mutare.
While MDC-T has gone on to try and either censure or expel the councillors concerned, analysts have said the party should instead reflect on why even its own officials and supporters prefer Zanu-PF leaders.
Online Reporter