Various opposition-linked elements have been claiming that
the recalls rocking the opposition CCC, leading to the National Assembly and
local authority by-elections, were being engineered by Zanu PF as part of its
grand plan to eventually have an advantageous two-thirds majority in
Parliament.
“It is just foolish talk (constitutional amendment), we
didn’t cause these by-elections. As Zanu PF, our duty was to simply react to
the calls for democracy and constitutional adherence after by-elections were
proclaimed due to recalls in the CCC because of their in-house wars, which we
have totally nothing to do with,” said Dr Mpofu.
He said if there was any need to amend the Constitution,
the party would not hesitate but due Parliamentary and transparent process will
be followed.
“The process of amending a constitution is clear and if
there is indeed any need to execute that process, we will do it. But,
crucially, following the due Parliamentary process, there must be very strong
reasons for that,” said Dr Mpofu.
“Those uttering such unfounded claims of us pushing for a
two-thirds majority are just being mischievous. The harmonised elections were
done in August, people went to Parliament and as Zanu PF, we never recalled
anyone to cause a by-election. Instead it’s CCC who went on a recall tirade so
why are we being smuggled into their chaos, abasiyekele thina (they should
leave us),” said Dr Mpofu.
The by-elections were held on Saturday in Bulawayo,
Matabeleland North, and Matabeleland South while in Harare’s Mabvuku-Tafara,
Cde Pedzai Scot Sakupwanya of Zanu PF went in unopposed.
Zanu PF won seven of the nine Parliamentary seats that were
proclaimed vacant following the recalls by the CCC of the legislators that were
elected during the August 23 and 24 harmonised elections.
CCC interim secretary general Mr Sengezo Tshabangu
instigated the recalls on the grounds that the concerned legislators and
councillors had ceased to be members of their party.
In the contested constituencies, Zanu PF bagged Bulawayo
South after former Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce Cde Raj Modi
reclaimed the seat he had lost in August, getting 1 608 votes against CCC’s
James Sithole who obtained 1 130.
The party also won Cowdray Park where Cde Arthur Mujeyi
polled 1 765 votes compared to 1 560 that Vusumuzi Chirwa of CCC got.
Nketa Constituency has been wrested by Cde Albert Mavunga
who got 1 550 while Mr Ambrose Sibindi of CCC got 1 439 votes. Zanu PF lost
Mzilikazi-Mpopoma where Cde Dzingai Kamamba polled 1 097 votes compared to the
winner, Mr Charles Moyo of CCC, who received 1 632 votes and Lobengula-Magwegwe
after Mr Tendayi Nyathi of CCC managed 1 648 votes with Cde Wenziwe Dube of
Zanu PF getting 1 318.
Two constituencies in Matabeleland North — Binga North and
Lupane East — went to the revolutionary party where Cde Muchimba Chineka
received 9 862 while his rival Ms Judith Sibanda of CCC got 1 003 votes.
In Lupane East Cde Phathisiwe Machagu garnered 6 863 votes
against CCC’s candidate Mr David Nyathi who got 1 750.
In Beitbridge West in Matabeleland South, Cde Thusani Ndou
of Zanu PF polled 4 929 votes compared to 366 votes for an independent
candidate Mr Brendan Blessing Dube and 255 votes Mr Thoriso Moyo of Zapu.
In both Matabeleland North constituencies, the party
recorded an increase in figures from what it garnered in the August elections.
Zanu PF also gained four council seats, three in Bulawayo
and one in Masvingo. During the peaceful August 23 harmonised elections, Zanu
PF bagged 136 of the 210 constituencies, before taking Gutu West in a
by-election and seven during last Saturday’s by-elections.
The ruling party now has 184 legislators (144 voted, 33
proportional representation women, and seven youth quota) out of 280.
Zanu PF now expects to wrest more seats from the pending
February 3, 2024 by-elections to be held in Pelandaba-Tshabalala, Goromonzi
South, Chegutu West, Mkoba North, Seke and Zvimba East. Herald
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