Staff Reporter

Reports from Gutu, Masvingo Province, suggest that opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa faces a significant setback in the on-going national elections.

Unverified results point to Chamisa securing a mere 2,500 votes in Gutu West Constituency, in stark contrast to President Emmerson Mnangagwa's reported 15,000 votes.

A Gutu resident who preferred anonymity said that this was not the first time the citizens of Gutu have seemingly distanced themselves from Chamisa.

“Historical voting patterns, even from the 2018 elections, indicate a trend where the opposition leader struggled to gain substantial support from his hometown,” said the source.

 The same source added that Chamisa’s rejection in Gutu has left many people pondering on the reasons behind such a surprising electoral outcome from an area that one would typically expect to rally behind their native son.

In a further twist to the narrative, initial results also hint at another setback for the Chamisa family.

Starman Chamisa, Nelson's brother and the previous winner of the Mbare seat in the 2018 elections, is reported to have lost his grip on the constituency.

While official results are yet to be confirmed, the current trajectory appears to be favouring the ruling party.

Meanwhile, the broader picture emerging from the preliminary presidential results seems to be tilting heavily towards President Mnangagwa.

Current trends suggest a strong possibility of the President amassing over 65 percent of the total votes. Such an outcome, if confirmed, will be a testament to his continued popularity and dominance in Zimbabwean politics.

Adding to the challenges faced by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Chamisa's party, are the early results from Redcliff and Mutasa South.

Both constituencies, which were previously under the CCC's banner, are showing indications of having shifted their allegiances. If these preliminary figures hold, the opposition party will need to conduct an extensive review of its strategies and outreach efforts.

While the full spectrum of the electoral landscape will only become clear once the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) releases the official results, the early trends are certainly making headlines.

Political analyst, Grace Mumviro said that the narrative of President Mnangagwa solidifying his position juxtaposed against an opposition leader facing challenges even in his backyard presents a compelling storyline for the 2023 Zimbabwean elections.

“Observers and stakeholders will be keenly watching as more data emerges, providing a clearer picture of the nation's political future. But for now, the wind seems to be blowing in President Mnangagwa's favour,” said Mumviro.