Faith Ndou
GUTU-Zanu PF has strengthened its political grip in Gutu after winning its third local authority by-election this year in the populous district.
The ruling party won the Ward 4 Gutu Rural District Council by securing 93.7% of the votes in an election held on the 25th of October 2025.
ZANU PF candidate, Tawanda Mutare emerged victorious with 800 votes. His only challenger, Farai Manguva, an independent managed just 53 votes.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) declared Mutare the winner in what was described as a peaceful election.
The latest win follows two earlier by elections in Wards 10 and 14 of Gutu East, both previously held by ZANU PF. Ward 10 became vacant after Councillor John Mudonhi was recalled for indiscipline while Ward 14’s Zvarevashe Masvingise was elevated to Parliament.
Gutu RDC has 41 wards, with 39 currently held by ZANU PF councillors. The remaining two seats, one rural and one urban are under CCC.
Of the council’s 12 women’s quota seats, eight are held by ZANU PF while four are with CCC.
