Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
ZANU PF has tightened its grip on Makonde District after its candidate, Cde Bothwell Madhishi, won the Rural Ward 8 seat in Makonde uncontested.
This was announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s Makonde District elections officer, Mr Shepherd Kawocha on Wednesday afternoon at the Makonde Rural District Council (RDC) offices in Lion’s Den, bringing the short-lived race to an end before a single ballot was cast.
Cde Madhishi will succeed his late sister Clr Ramu Madhishi, who was also a member of the ruling party.
Clr Ramu Madhishi died in June this year after a long illness.
According to Mr Kawocha, all nomination papers submitted for the by-election were accepted with no disqualifications.
The race had initially attracted two contenders, Cde Madhishi and independent hopeful Mr Everest Chandigere.
However, Mr Chandigere withdrew his candidacy before the close of the nomination period, leaving the ZANU PF representative as the sole contender.
Zanu PF provincial leadership say the development reflects the deepening organisational and strategic challenges within the opposition ahead of future electoral battles.
“ZANU PF continues to capitalise on the opposition’s disarray, especially in rural constituencies where mobilisation structures are already firmly in place,” said Zanu PF provincial chairman, Cde Mary Mliswa-Chikoka.
The latest result further consolidated ZANU PF’s dominance in Mashonaland West Province, where the party has maintained a commanding presence since independence.
Provincial youth chairperson, Cde Tapiwa Masenda also weighed in saying the opposition parties’ popularity was wearing off across the province with Zanu PF targeting to secure more than 90 percent of the total vote cast in the future harmonised elections.
The unopposed win means ZANU PF continue to retain control over Makonde Rural Ward 8, a constituency historically considered a safe zone for the ruling party.
Cde Madhishi is expected to assume office immediately, focusing on service delivery and development projects in the largely agrarian ward.
Online Reporter