ZANU PF lost to an independent candidate in the Mabelreign council by-election last weekend, a move observers say was an indication that the ruling party is still not popular in urban areas.
BY MOSES MATENGA
In elections boycotted by opposition parties, Zanu PF candidate Spencer Mabeka polled 233 votes, losing to Peter Manjoro, an independent, who garnered 265 votes.
The seat fell vacant following the death of MDC-T’s Lancelot Mudavanhu in July this year.
Zanu PF’s loss triggered celebrations in the opposition camp as they felt it was justification the party would never win any free and fair election in the country.
Manjoro, who runs a consultancy firm and is a former Combined Harare Residents’ Association member, said he would work with everyone in the community regardless of their political affiliation.
“It means a lot to me that people look at a person with his works in the community. I am elated. I always say that it doesn’t matter which party you belong to, if you work for people, they vote for you. We now want participation of all the people,” he said.
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MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said: “Notwithstanding all the massive rigging machinery at its disposal, Zanu PF was beaten hands down by the voters of Ward 16 in Harare. This is a harbinger of good things to come. In a free and fair election, Zanu PF has got a snowball’s chance of winning. Even in Zvimba, Zanu PF cannot and will not win a credible election.”
MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said the latest Zanu PF defeat was an indication that the party was on its way out.
“These are signs of a fading political party. Zimbabweans are tired of empty promises by the regime of President Robert Mugabe. The MDC congratulates Mabelreign residents for showing the way. We view this as a step in the right direction,” Chihwayi said.
Analyst Takura Zhangazha said the political contestation in urban areas was normally centred on personalities, adding that Manjoro’s victory meant that had the opposition contested in all by-elections, they would also have beaten Zanu PF.
