Gift Mashoko
ZANU PF continues to dominate the political field despite claims by the MDC Alliance that it is the most popular political party in the country.
The ruling party retained its seats and narrowed the margin in the MDC Alliance stronghold during the by-elections held over the weekend.
In Beitbridge East Ward 15 MDC Alliance’s Victor Moyo had 54 votes while Zanu PF’s Rabson Mbedzi garnered 638 votes. In Matobo MDC Alliance got 121 votes and ZANU PF garnered 483 votes.
However, by-election results for Chitungwiza Ward 24 MDC Alliance got 1 059, ZANU PF 993, MDC T 29 and NCA got 3. ZANU PF lost by a narrow margin of 66 votes.
In an interview with Harare Post, one ZANU PF supporter said that despite the economic hardships being faced in the country, they were going to remain loyal to the party and leadership in the district and Zimbabwe as a whole because they believe in ZANU PF leadership.
They also revealed that they were pleased with the overall results though ZANU PF lost by a very narrow margin in Chitungwiza.
MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa recently said that he wanted a dialogue with President Emmerson Mnangagwa which will lead to a transitional authority that will prepare for fresh elections.
Political analyst, Richard Kundishora said that if the ZANU PF party maintains this win and if MDC Alliance continues with its violent behaviour, then there would be no victory for MDC Alliance.
“Following these recent by-election results, it just proves that ZANU PF will and can be victorious across the country because people believe in ZANU PF. However, MDC Alliance should maybe lay low, grow and learn how to play politics because violence is not the answer and solution. They cannot expect to win or maybe they are just looking for ways to embarrass themselves,” he said.
MDC Alliance has been rocked by divisions as evidenced by the filing of two candidates from the same party in the nomination court. MDC Alliance Collet Ndhlovu (former councillor) and Nomagugu Mloyi successfully filed their papers at the nomination court to contest in the Bulawayo Municipality Ward 28 by-election set for March 3, 2019. This will definitely split the MDC Alliance vote, and will be an advantage to Zanu PF.
