Staff Reporter

Spencer Tshuma of the ruling ZANU PF party has garnered 10 880 votes against 4 915 votes by Costin Muguti of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) in the recent Gokwe-Kabuyuni by-elections.

CCC and its associated pressure groups, Team Pachedu and Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition were too quick to disqualify the results calling the by-elections neither free nor fair.

“The recently held Gokwe-Kabuyuni by-election was far from being a free and fair event,” said Team Pachedu.

ZANU PF Director of Information and Publicity, Tafadzwa Mugwadi dismissed these allegations whilst saying nothing else can be expected from CCC as the party only acknowledges results in which they would have won. Mugwadi also said despite claims of vote rigging, the counting of votes was conducted under the watchful eyes of CCC security team.

“Before results were announced, CCC thanked thousands for voting although they voted ZANU PF. Counting was under the watchful eyes of their security personnel. It was their test run for 2023. Their polling agents diligently defended the vote that is 4915. They lost dismally despite the bravo,” said Mugwadi.

The thumping of CCC by the ruling party ZANU PF has been described by activist Tinashe Munetsi as an indication that the ruling party continues to enjoy dominance in the rural areas across the country, particularly in Gokwe.

Munetsi said despite calls by CCC interim secretary for rural mobilisation, Happymore Chidziva to launch a mobilisation exercise code-named Mugwazo, nothing has materialised. The opposition party has instead been riddled by factionalism pitting Chamisa and his interim vice leader, Tendai Biti who are both vying for that party presidency.

Whilst ZANU PF has managed to retain its stronghold, the ruling party has also been gaining foothold in the urban areas where the opposition party has failed dismally to provide service such as sanitation and water reticulation. This has resulted in ZANU PF reclaiming Epworth and Mutasa South in the March 2022 by-elections.