BY BRENNA MATENDERE
ZANU PF has won the Shurugwi ward 6 council by-election amid condemnation by the opposition MDC Alliance which has accused the ruling party of rigging the vote.
The seat fell vacant following the death of councillor Edmond Chitera (Zanu PF) early this year.
According to results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission at the end of vote counting yesterday, Zanu PF’s Edward Jnr Chitera got 396 votes while MDC’s candidate Mary Choga polled 16 votes. Two ballot papers were spoiled.
Speaking after the announcement of the results, Zanu PF MP for Shurugwi South constituency Edmund Mukaratigwa said the outcome of the polls points to the hard work President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s party has been doing in the area.
“It is a result of hard work from a united team of Zanu PF which cut across the party hierarchy. I am encouraged and humbled by the people’s loyalty and will work even harder to foster tangible socio-economic growth in my constituency,” he said.
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However, MDC Midlands provincial chairperson Josiah Makombe said Zanu PF rigged the poll.
“The result does not reflect the will of the people, but intimidation and threats of violence carried the day for Zanu PF. The use of food and farming inputs as bait to the suffering rural electorate is the trump card for Zanu PF,”Makombe said.
“Our candidate was victimised and evicted from her rented shop a few days before the polls, a sign that Zanu PF is not liked by the electorate, but uses unorthodox means to claim victory.”
Responding to rigging tactics, Mukaratigwa said MDC are crybabies.
“They are always in denial and alleging unfounded and unthinkable excuses to justify their well-deserved defeat and attract sympathy from their masters and sponsors. It’s time to wake up and smell the coffee. I am not bothered and will continue to follow my party principles and ideology, above all, work hard for sustainable livelihood of people from my constituency,” the MP said. It was the first by-election in the Midlands after last year’s harmonised elections.