The win by Zanu-PF candidate Cde Kidwell Mujuru in
Bulawayo’s Ward 28 by-election over the weekend by 670 votes demonstrates that
the MDC’s dominance of urban areas is coming to an end, an official has said.
The win is a major milestone in that the ruling party has
been struggling to win both parliamentrary and council seats in Bulawayo and
Harare since 2000.
Cde Mujuru romped to victory in the ward in Cowdray Park
after garnering 1 899 votes, to beat his closest contender, Ms Nomagugu Mloyi
of MDC-Alliance, who got 1 229 votes, while her colleague from the same party,
Mr Collet Ndlovu, garnered 221 votes.
The Nelson Chamisa-led opposition party fielded Ms Mloyi
and Mr Ndlovu in the council by-election, but Zanu-PF got more votes than the
two opposition candidates combined.
The election had 18 candidates vying for the ward seat,
which fell vacant following the death of MDC-Alliance councillor Hapson Nyasha
Ncube.
Cde Mujuru becomes the only Zanu-PF councillor out of 29
councillors in an MDC-Alliance-dominated Bulawayo City Council.
Zanu-PF Politburo member Cde Munyaradzi Machacha said
during victory celebrations organised in Cowdray Park at a house belonging to a
party member that the victory showed a clear direction by the ruling party.
He urged Zanu-PF members to start mobilising support for
the ruling party in Bulawayo province ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections.
“The victory is a clear sign that we are on the right path
and the party is ready to reclaim its dominance in cities,” he said. “The
victory has opened an opportunity for us to practically show the opposition who
we are as Zanu-PF.
“We are the party in control and we will ensure that there
is tangible development in Cowdray Park following this well-deserved victory.
“During our campaign, which was drummed up by our Vice
President Kembo Mohadi, we preached peace and development unlike the opposition
which is well known for anarchy and violence.”
Cde Machacha said the recent positive developments in the
country’s economy were a harbinger of good things to come.
He said President Mnangagwa has, in a short space of time,
proved that he is a leader capable of bringing economic prosperity to the
country.
Minister of State for Bulawayo Provincial Affairs Cde
Judith Ncube and Politburo members Retired Colonel Tshinga Dube and Absolom
Sikhosana and Central Committee members attended the event.
Cde Mujuru paid tribute to party members and his campaign
teams led by Rtd Col Dube, saying they played a crucial role to ensure his
victory.
“We won because of unity in the party and I would like to
thank my fellow party cadres for tirelessly working with our campaign teams,
which were led by our commander, Cde Tshinga Dube,” he said.
“The Minister of State for Bulawayo, Cde Ncube, also
supported our campaigns with resources.”
Cde Mujuru pledged to spearhead development in Cowdray Park
and committed himself to working towards uplifting the lives of the local
community.
He said the election results were a testimony that the days
of MDC-Alliance’s dominance in Bulawayo and other urban centres in the country
were numbered.
During the recent campaign to drum up support for Cde
Mujuru, VP Mohadi urged Cowdray Park residents to maintain and preach peace as
they work for the party and the development of their area. Chronicle
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