The opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) only managed to win two urban wards in the December 3 by-elections while Zanu PF won in all the other three seats that were up for grabs.
Initially there were eight vacancies but the High Court barred the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) from holding polls in Ward 6, 8, 10, 15 and 23 of Binga Rural District Council over unspecified amount of money owed by some of the CCC candidates in terms of unpaid bills.
The two urban wards 4 and 18 in Gweru were won by the CCC, while Ward 5 was won by Zanu PF.
The ruling Zanu PF party also won in Ward 20 of Binga and Ward 28 in Mberengwa.
In Ward 4, Gweru CCC candidate Martin Chivhoko polled 643 winning against Zanu PF’s Gibson Chingwadza who had 300 votes.
In ward 18, Gweru, CCC candidate John Mananagvhu Manyudwa won with 250 votes while Walter Makwalo of Zanu PF had 182 votes.
Zanu PF candidate, Kwanisai Mafa Mafa polled 556 in Ward 5 Gweru, defeating Cleopus Shiri from CCC, who came close with 472 and Leon Ndahwi from Emanuel party who had 11 votes.
In Ward 20 Binga, Zanu PF candidate Luyando Muleya won with 945 votes while Crispen Munkuli of Munkuli polled 546 votes.
Zanu PF also won big in Ward 28 Mberengwa, as party candidate, Sthethindaba Zhou won by 726 votes while CCC candidate Nash Nkomo only managed 81 votes
After the by-elections, CCC National Spokesperson tweeted that the opposition party would continue to push for reforms and draw lessons for 2023, which was the “main meal.”
“Zanu PF can never win a free and fair election in Zimbabwe. Let’s fight to win Zimbabwe for change,” she said.
Government spokesperson, Nick Mangwana also tweeted that it was “pragmatic not to expect miracles in 2023. The pattern will hold” after noting that Zanu PF had 1764 total votes while CCC had 1446 votes from the weekend polls.
