– as Zanu PF easily bags ward 3
Tendai Muererwa
MUTARE-Zanu PF has reclaimed Mutare Municipality’s Ward 3 seat after its candidate, Portia Gwinyai, emerged victorious in Saturday’s by-election, ending years of opposition dominance in one of the city’s traditional opposition strongholds.
According to the official results announced by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Gwinyai secured 760 votes, comfortably defeating Independent candidate Innocent Mandava, who received 426 votes. Another independent candidate, Farai Arutura, polled 95 votes, while MDC candidate Edward Mukambura garnered 76 votes.
The by-election was held following the death of former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillor Tichaenzana “Taso” Maita, whose passing left the ward vacant.
The result marks a significant political shift in Ward 3, which has historically elected opposition representatives.
The opposition entered the race divided after CCC failed to field an official candidate amid the party’s ongoing internal challenges following Nelson Chamisa’s sabbatical from active politics. Instead, two independent candidates believed to be aligned with Chamisa contested separately, splitting a significant portion of the opposition vote.
Even when the votes for the two independents are combined, their total of 521 votes still falls well short of Gwinyai’s 760 votes.
