MARTIN MAWAYA
GWERU-As political parties are rolling out their campaigns ahead of the August 23 harmonized elections, the ruling Zanu PF party has so far won 90 local government seats uncontested after opposition political parties failed to field candidates at the close of the nomination court last week.
In an election Gazette published by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), Zanu PF bagged 3 uncontested seats in urban municipalities and 87 in rural district councils in seven provinces.
The ruling party grabbed seats in opposition strongholds such as Gwanda Municipality where Sithabiso Mpofu and Thulani Moyo were dully declared councilors for ward 1 and 2 while Simbarashe Mutemeri is the incoming Councilor for ward 4 in Zvishavane Town.
President Mnangagwa’s home province (Midlands) has the highest number of ZANUPF dully elected councilors with 27 uncontested wards, followed by Mash East 25, Mash Central 24, Mat South 6, Masvingo 4, Mat North 3 and Manicaland has one ward in Mutare Rural District Council (RDC).
In the Midlands province the opposition parties failed to field candidates in Takawira RDC, Gokwe South RDC, Gokwe North RDC, Tongogara RDC, Vungu RDC, Mberengwa RDC, Zibagwe RDC and Zvishavane Town council.
Zanu PF dribbled the opposition and won council seats uncontested in Chikomba RDC, Marondera RDC, Murehwa RDC, Zvataida RDC, Wedza RDC, Goromonzi RDC, Chegutu RDC, Makonde RDC, Mhondoro-Ngezi RDC and Sanyati RDC of Mash East and West provinces.
The party also sailed through unchallenged in Mash Central’s Bindura RDC, Guruve RDC, Mazowe RDC, Mbire RDC, Pfura RDC, Muzarabani RDC, Rushinga RDC and Chaminuka RDC.
Whilst in Mat South, Zanu PF won uncontested council seats in Gwanda Municipality, Gwanda RDC and Insiza RDC, whereas in Masvingo, the party won in Masvingo RDC and Mwenezi RDC respectively.
Bubi Rural District Council is the only local authority where the ruling party sailed through unchallenged in Mat North province.
Political commentators said the winning of local government seats by Zanu PF in seven provinces is a “testimony of strong support base and a reflection that the opposition is struggling to penetrate rural areas”.
They also added that it will make it very difficult for the opposition to win the elections at all levels including the presidential vote as people have already lost confidence.
