By Dorcas Rumano
ZANU PF has been applauded for its resounding victory in the three by-elections held in Lupane East, Bubi and Nkayi districts in Matabeleland North recently.
In Lupane East, ZANU PF retained the House of Assembly seat and grabbed the Bubi ward 22 and Nkayi ward 23.
In Lupane East, ZANU PF’s Mbongeni Dube garnered 6 369 votes against his rivals, Dalumuzi Khumalo (MDC-A) 4 505, Given Ncube, (MDC T) 363, (Labour Economists and African Democrats party, LEAD) Morgen Ndlovu 18, Alice Sibanda (National Constitutional Assembly) 27, Andrew Tshaba (Mthkwazi Republic Party) 81 and Jabulo Sibanda (National Patriotic Front) 39 votes.
Commending on ZANU PF’s landslide victory, Deputy Minister of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Energy Mutodi said, “MDC-A defeat in Lupane and other by-elections tellingly means His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa will lead ZANU-PF to another romping victory in 2023; and Chisa mwana Chisa (MDC leader, Nelson Chamisa) will still say elections have been stolen.”
ZANU PF Gokwe Nembudziya legislator, Justice Mayor Wadyajena believes that the thunderous victory by the ruling party on the recently held by-elections is as a result of President Mnangagwa’s pro-people policies which are treasured by many people especially from the grassroots level.
Wadyejena tweeted, “Congratulations to President Mnangagwa and ZANU PF for the thunderous wins. A huge vote of confidence in President Mnangagwa’s pro-people policies which are understood and appreciated by the grassroots. Twitter and GoatHerder rants don’t win elections. President Mnangagwa is loved on the ground. 2023 is in the bag.”
One netizen, Marshall Gore congratulated the ruling party saying, “Congratulations to ZANU PF for the resounding victory in Lupane East by-election. The people have spoken. Best wishes to Cde Mbongeni Dube, the people’s choice. You fought a good fight Comrade. Your work begins today.”
Musa Kasamba praised ZANU PF Secretary for Administration, Dr Obert Mpofu for working tirelessly in garnering support for the three candidates.
Kasamba said, “No sweat, no sweet. Lupane by-election win is the fruit of hard work. Senior party officials like Cde Obert Mpofu had to go on the ground and there is nothing amiss on that, whilst Chamisa was busy tweeting and don't expect a miracle come 2023.”
Another netizen, Kudzai Mtisi agrees with Kasamba’s line of thinking that full time administrators at ZANU PF Headquarters are working hard on all party activities, and this led to the just ended by-election victory. He said, “There is something that President Mnangagwa did with ZANU PF that’s responsible for this extraordinary success in elections. President appointed full time administrators to run ZANU PF while he concentrates on running the country. That was a masterstroke.”
An attempt by the MDC that ZANU PF won the three by-elections through coercion and intimidation was roundly dismissed. LEAD leader, Linda MASARIRA refuted, “I was in Lupane East Constituency for a fortnight. I did not witness the victimisation you are speaking of. Enough of this retrogressive propaganda of intimidation of Gukurahundi victims.
