Staff Reporter
Zanu PF brought Gutu East to a standstill, yesterday, as it held a high-energy rally at Kurai Primary School, in Ward 16, rallying support ahead of the June 14 parliamentary by-election.
The event, described by Party officials as the “mother of all rallies,” drew thousands of supporters in a bold show of force by the ruling party.
The by-election comes after the expulsion of former Gutu East legislator, Benjamin Ganyiwa, who lost both Party membership and his seat in Parliament.
Zanu PF is now pinning its hopes on Zvarevashe Masvingise to reclaim the constituency in a three-way race that also features independent candidate, Gift Gonese and Zivanai Nzvenga of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA).
Zanu PF National Political Commissar, MunyaradziMachacha, led a high-powered delegation that included several Politburo and Central Committee members, alongside the Masvingo provincial leadership.
Addressing the crowd, Machacha declared MasvingoProvince a Zanu PF stronghold, confidently predicting a landslide victory.
“No opposition can shake the foundations that hold us together. On June 14, Gutu East will once again demonstrate its unwavering allegiance to the revolutionary party and President Mnangagwa,” Machacha said.
The National Political Commissar commended local Party structures for maintaining a strong grassroots presence and launched a US$25 000 Gutu East Presidential Revolving Fund to support income-generating projects in the constituency.
Masvingo Provincial Chairperson, Robson Mavhenyengwa said the turnout reflected growing confidence in Zanu PF's leadership.
“This overwhelming support is a clear signal that Gutu East is ready to stand by the party that has always walked hand in hand with the people,” he said.
Masvingo Province’s Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Ezra Chadzamira described Zanu PF as the anchor of Zimbabwe’s development, citing progress in agriculture, education, and healthcareunder President Mnangagwa’s administration.
“We are marching towards Vision 2030, and the people of Gutu East know who is delivering real change,” Chadzamira said.
Masvingise, the Party’s candidate, said he was humbled by the support and pledged to align constituency priorities with national development goals.
“I am ready to serve and uplift the lives of our people, following President Mnangagwa’s vision for a prosperous Zimbabwe,” he said.
The rally was also marked by significant donations.
Deputy ICT Minister Dingimuzi Phuti handed over 10 laptops to Kurai Primary School and pledged more support to improve digital literacy.
Cotton Farmers 4ED donated 30 sewing machines to local women, further underlining the party’s empowerment agenda.
As the countdown to Saturday’s by-election continues, Zanu PF appears poised for a strong showing in Gutu East, buoyed by visible grassroots support, strategic mobilisation, and targeted development pledges.
The rally at Kurai Primary School not only reaffirmed the party’s dominance in the constituency but also showcased its efforts to link campaign promises with tangible community benefits.
