VICTORIA FALLS, Aug. 2 (NewsDay Live) – Zanu-PF has retained Victoria Falls Municipality’s Ward 10 seat after its candidate, Thindohwe Sibanda, won Saturday’s council by-election against seven independent candidates, renewing debate over Zimbabwe’s First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system.
According to results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Sibanda polled 291 votes to defeat independent candidate Nkanyiso Sibindi, who received 174 votes. Abel Muzhuzha came third with 119 votes.
The other candidates were Defnd Ndlovu (16), Prince Kagande (13), Preston Chuma (9), Azana Mathe (7) and Tongerai Sagiambi (6).
The by-election was held to fill the vacancy created by the recall of former Ward 10 councillor Nkanyiso Sibindi.
Ward Elections Officer Tabitha Tariro Mwonzoza officially declared Sibanda the winner in terms of the Electoral Act.
“In terms of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13] and the regulations made thereunder, I hereby declare Thindohwe Sibanda duly elected as a member of the council for Ward 10 of Victoria Falls Municipality,” Mwonzoza said in the declaration of results.
ZEC said 51 ballot papers were rejected, while voter turnout stood at 26.1%.
The outcome has reignited debate over Zimbabwe’s FPTP electoral system, with political commentators arguing that the large number of independent candidates split the anti-Zanu-PF vote, enabling the ruling party to win despite facing a fragmented opposition.
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Supporters of electoral reform argue that a proportional representation system would more accurately reflect the distribution of votes, while proponents of FPTP maintain that it delivers clear and decisive outcomes and strengthens the link between elected representatives and their constituencies.
