The ruling ZANU PF has won most of the seats previously held by the CCC in a by-election that most voters boycotted.
On 9 December 2023, Zimbabweans went to the polls again following the controversial October recalls of CCC MPs, senators and councillors by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the party’s interim secretary general. Tshabangu said the lawmakers had ceased to be party members.
The CCC MPs filed nomination papers, and Tshabangu challenged this in court, saying they couldn’t represent the CCC when they were no longer members. Last week, the High Court upheld Tshabangu’s application and barred the CCC candidates from running in the by-election.
The election then pitted ZANU PF against Tshabangu’s approved candidates, and the ruling party has now won most of the seats.
Think tank Election Resource Centre (ERC) observed the election in eight constituencies and 38 wards. At midday, they noted that voter turnout was extremely low, at 15.7%.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has released the results of the by-election. ZANU PF won seven of the nine National Assembly seats. Here are some of the results.
Nketa Constituency
Tawanda Albert Mavunga (Zanu PF) – 1 550
Ambrose Sibindi (CCC) – 1 439
Luckmore Gwetu (DOP) – 117
Spoilt – 324
Binga North Constituency
Chineka Muchimba (ZANU-PF) – 9 862 votes
Judith Sibanda (CCC) – 1003 votes
Mpopoma-Mzilikazi Constituency
Charles Moyo (CCC) – 1 632 votes
Dzingai Kamamba (ZANU PF) – 1 097 votes
Pardon Tapfumaneyi (Independent) – 654 votes
Blessings Sibanda (DOP) – 47 votes
Lobengula-Magwegwe Constituency
Tendayi Nyathi Chitura (CCC) – 1 648 votes
Menziwa Dube (ZANU PF) – 1 318 votes
Beitbridge West Constituency
Thusani Ndou (ZANU PF) – 4 929 votes
Dube Blessing Brandan (Independent) – 366 votes
Moyo Thoriso (ZAPU) – 255 votes
Bulawayo South Constituency
Rajeshkumari Modi (ZANU PF) – 1 608 votes
Sithole James (CCC) – 1 130 votes
Cowdray Park Constituency
Mujeyi Arthur (ZANU PF) – 1 765 votes
Vusimuzi Chirwa (CCC) – 1 560 votes
Lupane East Constituency
Phathisiwe Machangu (Zanu PF) – 6 863
David Nyathi (CCC) – 1 750
Spoilt – 592
Zimbos Uneasy
Social media users expressed mixed emotions over the results.
Givemore:
“And after what happened ngo August, people still go and vote really….am glad l have never voted in my life voting in Zim is for losers.
Desmond:
“This is embarrassing 😳”
Candice:
“Congrats, Zanu PF yedu.”
Rafiki:
“Kkkkk protest vote, Nelson doesn’t listen to anyone 😒”
Chirandu:
“Zim politics. It’s easy to hijack any opposition party if you’re Zpf’s surrogate. Sengezo is now having a party, just from nowhere. Kodwa lomuntu uyadelela big time 🙄”
Source iHarare
