Ward 22 Councillor Bruce Mmeli Moyo has officially endorsed independent candidate Rodney Jele for the vacant Nkulumane National Assembly seat.
The constituency fell vacant following the death of MP Desire Moyo on 10 October 2025, after the vehicle he was travelling in collided with an elephant along the Bulawayo–Gweru highway.
Speaking after the Nomination Court on Thursday, Councillor Moyo said Jele’s endorsement followed extensive consultations with community members and local leadership.
“We, the residents of Nkulumane, engaged in extensive discussions with the constituency leadership and the people to determine the best way forward following the passing of the late Honourable Desire Moyo,” Moyo said.
“It was a competitive race, with many candidates vying for the seat. After consultations with the leadership and all progressive forces, we have collectively decided to endorse Alderman Rodney Jele as a progressive candidate. We pledge to support him and mobilise the entire Nkulumane community to ensure the constituency remains in the hands of its people,” he added.
Moyo said the endorsement represents a commitment to preserving the constituency’s dignity and ensuring that residents’ interests remain central.
“We cannot allow ZANU-PF or their allies to dominate Nkulumane. It is our responsibility, not only in Nkulumane but across Bulawayo and Zimbabwe, to protect the pride and dignity of our community,” he said.
He further described the by-election as a historic opportunity for residents to assert their voice.
“This election is a moment to show that Nkulumane is not Mbare. Nkulumane is a constituency led by people who understand the governance challenges facing our country, challenges created by a dictatorship seeking to stay in power,” Moyo said.
If elected, Jele’s mandate, Moyo said, would be to protect and advance the interests of Nkulumane residents.
“We stand firmly behind Rodney Jele, representing the people and the progressive forces of Nkulumane,” he added.
Nine candidates were successfully nominated for the by-election:
- Esther Auxilia Zitha (Independent, female), widow of the late MP Desire Moyo
- Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T, female)
- Nompilo Ncube Malaba (ZANC, female)
- Alson Moyo (Zimbabwe Economic Freedom Fighters – EFF, male)
- Rodney Donovan Jele (Independent, male)
- Mbuso Fuzwayo (Independent, male)
- Freedom Murechu (Zanu PF, male)
- Mothusi “Madlela” Ndlovu (CCC, male)
- Siziba Viyo Vivian (ZAPU, male)
In a separate interview, community leader Wingle Nhliziyo, who served closely with the late MP Desire Moyo, expressed hope that ongoing development projects would continue under the new MP.
“I had the privilege of working with Honourable Desire Moyo as his MP Advisor and vice-chair of the Constituency Development Fund Committee. We were beginning to implement several initiatives to improve Nkulumane, and we hope these plans will continue,” Nhliziyo said.
He highlighted projects already underway, including improvements at Nkulumane High School, solarisation of boreholes across schools, and installation of water tanks to address water shortages affecting schools, clinics, and police stations.
“We are prioritising water-related projects under the CDF because access to clean water is critical for children’s health. These are initiatives we planned with Desire, who was a visionary MP,” he said.
Nhliziyo added that residents expect the incoming MP to respect and continue Moyo’s development agenda.
“Our hope is that the person elected will honour the plans we had with Desire and maintain the spirit and progress of Nkulumane. We want continuity, not disruption,” he said.
He concluded by noting the limitations of the electoral system.
“If we could have chosen our own representative, we would have, but the system requires nominations and elections to follow specific procedures,” he said.
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