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Bulawayo Bureau
Zanu-PF yesterday ended MDC-T’s 15-year stranglehold on Bulawayo province after Cde Killian Sibanda emphatically claimed victory in the Nkulumane constituency by-elections.

Cde Sibanda garnered 2 161 votes, more than three times the votes received by second placed Nyathi Ngwalo of the Progressive Democrats of Zimbabwe (PDZ) who polled 680.

The third candidate Sibusisiwe Mpofu of Reformed Democrats of Zimbabwe (RDZ) polled 397 votes.

The MDCs did not field candidates in the election.

Zanu-PF now has six constituencies in Bulawayo including the five won in the June 10 by elections after MDC-T leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai caused the expulsion from Parliament of 21 rebel members who later formed the People’s Democratic Party.

The presiding officer Sithembiso Khupe yesterday confirmed the outcome.

An elated Zanu-PF national commissar Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said Zanu-PF had received an early Christmas present following Cde Sibanda’s victory.

“This is the best Christmas present ever for the party and our President. Sibanda has brought our tally to 6-6 with the opposition party MDC-T. This victory is significant in that it comes just before the Unity Day celebrations. This is a confirmation that people now have confidence in the ruling party,” he said.

Khupe said only 6,33 percent of the registered voters cast their ballots at the 30 polling stations.

Cde Sibanda thanked Nkulumane constituency for voting for him.

“Thank you Nkulumane for voting for me and confirming you have confidence in me.

“ I promise the electorate and the nation at large that I will always work with them in unity and do all the work that I’m expected to do with diligence”