Matabeleland-based political analysts and civic society groups have warned that the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election, set for December 20, is poised to be an early Christmas present to the ruling Zanu PF due to fragmentation within the opposition.
Nine candidates are vying for the seat left vacant following the death of Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) legislator, Desire Moyo, in a road traffic accident on October 10.
With eight opposition candidates splitting the opposition vote, analysts are predicting that Zanu PF’s candidate, Freedom Murechu, will secure an easy victory.
Other candidates are comedian Mothusi Ndlovu representing the Sengezo Tshabangu-led CCC, Moyo’s wife Esther Auxillia Zitha (Independent), Ethel Sibanda (MDC-T), Alson Moyo (EFF Zimbabwe), Rodney Donovan Jele backed by former CCC leader Nelson Chamisa’s group, Ibhetshu LikaZulu secretary general Mbuso Fuzwayo (Independent), Vivian Siziba (Zapu) and Nompilo Ncube Malala (Zimbabwe African National Congress).
Political analyst Abigale Mupambi condemned the failure by opposition parties to unite behind a single candidate.
“The sad part is that the opposition parties are failing to find each other,” Mupambi said.
“They are too individualistic and politically illiterate and immature.
“As it is, they have agreed to give Zanu PF the Nkulumane seat by fielding many candidates.”
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She questioned the decision by Tshabangu’s group to field a candidate against the late MP’s widow.
“He should have let Moyo’s wife contest if he so much respected the late MP as he claims,” Mupambi said.
“Why should we have eight candidates against Zanu PF that is already governing?
“As far as the Nkulumane by election is concerned, it’s no longer a contest but a donation to Zanu PF.”
Veteran educationist Ben Moyo echoed the same sentiment, calling the situation “an unmitigated disaster for the opposition.”
He noted that Zanu PF voters were traditionally loyal, while the opposition vote will be scattered.
“They have virtually donated the seat to Zanu PF,” he said.
All their votes are going to split and Zanu PF will win by default. They have virtually donated the seat to Zanu PF,” Moyo said.
“Zanu PF voters are loyal and they will always vote for their candidate.
“The opposition is not like that and this is demonstrated by the massive division we got there.
“My analysis is that Zanu PF has already won by default, the seat has been donated by the divided opposition.”
Meanwhile, Zanu PF has launched a vigorous campaign, which critics allege is fuelled by vote-buying.
At a rally on Sunday, the party’s national political commissar, Munyaradzi Machacha, and special adviser to the president, Paul Tungwarara, unveiled a US$100,000 constituency revolving fund, promised over five solar-powered boreholes, and announced a scholarship fund for Nkulumane.
The event also saw the handover of computers and Starlink internet kits to local schools by Information Communication Technology minister Tatenda Mavetera.
Zanu PF officials framed the developments as evidence of the party delivering progress.
“We no longer want Harare people to eat alone,” Machakaire said in his address.
“We now want everyone to eat.
“So from today we want Bulawayo to start eating.
“So Freedom you must be a good father when it comes to things that come from the president.”
He added: “We want people to benefit; we do not want the leadership to eat alone, so these people eat first and leaders follow.
“We can’t be eating all alone when the people are suffering.”
Machakaire showcased former opposition members, including ex-MDC legislator Blessing Chebundo, who have recently defected to Zanu PF.
On the opposition side, campaigns have been varied.
Fuzwayo has engaged in door-to-door campaigning and donated water piping materials to a community garden.
“We have taken that seat already,” he told Southern Eye.
“Our aim to campaign here is to change everyone’s life.
“But we also need to know and talk to the person you have been working with so that when we have left you do not have problems.”
Jele, backed by Chamisa’s supporters, is considered a strong contender due to his past experience as a ward councillor.
He has received public endorsement from independent Bulawayo councillor and Chamisa ally, Bruce Moyo.
Zitha has focused her campaign on continuing her husband’s community projects.
Siziba expressed disappointment at the opposition’s failure to unite, which compelled him to run.
Civic Society and Churches Joint Forum national coordinator, Max Mkandla, said Zanu PF would not win because it has the best candidate, but because of opposition fragmentation.
“Lack of strong opposition political parties and strategies from the independent candidates will make Zanu PF win,” Mkandla said.
Zanu PF has won by-elections in Nketa and Cowdray Park after it was humiliated by CCC in the city during the 2023 elections.
