INDEPENDENT candidates in the Tsholotsho council by-elections are eyeing victory in a tightly contested race.
Seven candidates successfully filed nomination papers to contest in Tsholotsho RDC’s wards 1, 10 and 21 by-elections to be held on June 20, where Zanu PF is also oozing with confidence to secure victory in all the wards.
The by-elections resulted from the dismissal of councillors Witness Khumalo (ward 1), Jonathan Ndlovu (ward 10) and Felix Tshuma (ward 21) over allegations of corruption involving Campfire funds.
However, the matter is pending at the High Court after the councillors questioned the process leading to their dismissals.
Ward 10 attracted three candidates, namely Simbisai Ndlovu of Zanu PF, Mehlukanisi Ncube of Zapu and independent candidate Ntando Siziba.
In ward 1, Lindiwe Mkwananzi (Zanu PF) will contest independent candidate Solani Mlilo, while in ward 21, Zanu PF’s Phillip Mvundla will take on independent candidate Marx Sibanda.
Felix Tshuma, who is the campaign manager and chief election agent for Sibanda, said parties like Zapu, which did not field candidates in the ward, were supporting him.
“We are only contesting with Zanu PF, other parties did not field candidates, our chances of winning are very high,” he said.
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Independent candidate for ward 10, Ntando Siziba, said campaigning was going on well.
“I contested in 2023 by-elections and got 541 votes while the winner from Zanu PF got 600, the one who is no longer in the race, now I am facing a new candidate. I feel my chances are high this time,” Siziba said.
Meanwhile, Zapu president Sibangilizwe Nkomo confirmed that they will support other opposition parties in wards such as 1 and 21, where they did not field candidates.
“We have so many branches in the ward. We are working with other opposition parties who did not field candidates,” he said.
Nkomo said they decided to join hands with other parties and support their candidates.
