Chronicle Editor
Chinhoyi Bureau
ZANU-PF candidate Enock Gurumba has won the Makonde Ward 8 by-election uncontested after the fractious MDC and other opposition parties failed to field candidates at the close of the Nomination Court. The Nomination Court sat on Friday at Lions Den, Chinhoyi, to consider candidates to fill the seat left vacant following the death of Cde Portia Mushamiri.
In Chegutu Rural District Council Ward 11, Zanu-PF’s Cde Taurai Sengu would lock horns with Cde Didlane Waraza after the two successfully filed their nomination papers.
The by-election follows the death of Ward 11 Councillor Nickson Mubatapasango, who was also declared a provincial hero and buried at the Chinhoyi Heroes’ Acre.
Mashonaland West deputy provincial elections officer Mr Austin Ndlovu said no other party had a candidate at the close of the nomination court in Lions Den.
“Our presiding officer declared Enoch Gurumba of Zanu-PF duly elected at the close of the Nomination Court on Friday. There were no other candidates who filed their papers,” he said.
Zanu-PF retains the seat which it won uncontested on July 31, 2013 after other parties again failed to nominate a candidate. The main opposition MDC-T is in turmoil following internecine strife for control of the party characterised by factions pitting the pro-Tsvangirai camp and others agitating for leadership renewal.
Earlier this month, Zanu-PF romped to victory in the Mkoba Ward 12 council by-election in Gweru after its candidate, Cde Charles Simbi, defeated MDC-T and NCA candidates.
Cde Simbi garnered 556 votes while his bitter rival, Mr Fortunate Chiokori of MDC-T, got 486 votes and Mr Richard Ndlovu of NCA polled 64 votes.
The win consolidated Zanu-PF’s dominance in local government countrywide with its council haul rising to 1 501 wards to MDC-T’s 442.
There are 92 local authorities countrywide that consist of 1 958 wards.
Online Reporter