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Blessings Chidakwa Herald Reporter

Zanu PF has once again shown its pedigree and popularity after resoundingly winning the Gutu West Parliamentary by-election held on Saturday in which it outclassed the faction-torn CCC party, pushing it into third place behind an independent.

Analysts said the popularity of Zanu PF is unquestionable after it retained Gutu West parliamentary seat making it 24 out of 26 seats in Masvingo province.

In addition, the ruling party also won two council seats in Hurungwe and Zvimba districts.

The three seats were not contested in the August elections because candidates died between nomination day and polling day, triggering a postponement of the polls in that constituency and two wards and allowing new nominations.

Numbers don’t lie as indeed the ruling party’s Gutu West candidate Cde John Paradza garnered a staggering 12 147 votes trailed by independent candidate Martin Mudzingwa who managed a 1 775 votes.

CCC candidate Ephraim Morudu was not anywhere near the victory box only coming third with a paltry 1 258 votes and NCA’s candidate Robson Kurwa had 138 votes.

In Hurungwe Rural District Council ward 24 Zanu PF’s candidate Cde Jerry Makumbe garnered 1 685 votes also outclassing CCC’s Ezekiel Khumalo who pulled 415 votes.

As for Zvimba North ward 23 Zanu PF’s candidate Cde Cecilia Muganhiri also emerged victorious beating CCC’s Manuel Chinanzvavana (CCC), NCA’s Enock Junior Rabu and independent candidate Pamela Gomani.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission vice chairperson Ambassador Rodney Kiwa confirmed Cde Paradza’s win as the member of the National Assembly for the Gutu West constituency.

“Yes (Cde) Paradza won. It was peaceful and as ZEC we didn’t face any challenges’’.

Zanu PF Director for Information and Publicity Cde Farai Marapira said the wins are showing that there is a very strong connection between Zanu PF and the people.

“As Zanu PF we feel invigorated because this puts all our detractors to shame and it shows that we are the party of the people that holds the aspirations of the nation.

“The people by continuing to trust in us this humbles us as a party and invigorates us to keep on watching and serving the nation,” he said.

Zanu PF Mashonaland West provincial chairman Cde Mary Mliswa Chikoka said the results were pleasing as they show the confidence that the people have in the ruling party.

“We are happy that even as it was a by-election people still went out to go and vote. They voted well, peacefully which is something which is encouraged under the leadership of President Mnangagwa,” she said.

“We want to thank the electorate for the voting that they did and the confidence that they are still showing in the ruling party Zanu PF.”

An analyst Dr Augustine Tirivangana said the wins were inevitable.

“If they do not reorganise themselves with urgency, then the pace has been set for the rest of pending by-elections even in their erstwhile strongholds. Disorder is a nemesis for success,” he said.

Another analyst Dr Hamadziripi Dube said resounding Zanu PF wins show that Zanu PF is a well-loved political party.

“No political group can stand against the ruling party. December by election Zanu PF will reclaim the other constituencies cause at this given moment no one will still throw the baton of trust to Chamisa’s grouping.

“Tshabangu has proved that anyone can be anything in CCC at any given time. This opposition party can’t be trusted to handle the Zimbabwean mandate of taking the country forward,” he said.

Another analyst Dr Tongai Dana said the ruling political party popularity can be influenced by a variety of factors, including historical legacy, policy positions, leadership, socioeconomic conditions, and voter sentiment.

“Zanu PF’s long-standing visionary leadership especially the Second Republic under Dr Mnangagwa the party’s transformative policy positions which have seen the development fortunes of Zimbabwe changing everyday as development milestones are always celebrated have contributed to its continuously growing base of support.

“This explains Zanu PF’s win in the Gutu by-election. Congratulations to Honourable Cde Paradza, I hope Gutu West will experience the best under his representation. Represent your party Zanu PF well,” he said.