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Freeman Razemba Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has gazetted the recent win by Zanu-PF candidate Cde Mbongeni Dube as Member of Parliament for Lupane East Constituency with effect from August 3, following a by-election held recently.

The Lupane East by-election followed the death of Zanu-PF parliamentarian Cde Sithembile Gumbo in April due to injuries sustained in a road traffic accident.

Nine candidates then successfully submitted their nomination papers.

According to the Government Gazette published on Friday, ZEC chief elections officer Mr Utoile Silaigwana said: “It is hereby notified, in terms of section 68 of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13), that Dube Mbongeni of Zanu-PF party has, with effect from the 3rd August, 2019, been duly elected as a member of the National Assembly for the Lupane East Constituency.”

Cde Dube prevailed over eight other candidates, garnering 6 369 votes, while his nearest rival and MDC-Alliance candidate, Mr Dalumuzi Khumalo polled 4 505 votes.

Mr Nelson Mkandla (National Action Party) got 51 votes, Gezekile Mkhwebu (Zapu) 52 votes, Given Ncube (MDC-T) 363 votes, Morgen Ndlovu (Labour Economists and African Democrats Party) 18 votes, Ms Alice Sibanda (National Constitutional Assembly) 27 votes, Njabulo Sibanda (National Patriotic Front) 39 votes and Mr Andrew Tshaba (Mthwakazi Republic Party) 81 votes.

Spoiled or rejected votes were 155.

Meanwhile, ZEC has released the names of four candidates that successfully filed their papers at the Nomination Court for the forthcoming Zaka East by-election.

The candidates are Cde Clemence Chiduwa (Zanu-PF), Mr Gudzameso Dereck Charamba (MDC-Alliance), Mr Clemence Chavarika (NCA) and Mr Lazarous Mubango (FreeZim Congress).

“Accordingly, polling shall take place on Saturday the 21st of September, 2019, from 7am, to 7pm, for the purpose of electing a member for the National Assembly for Zaka East Constituency,” said Mr Silaigwana in the Government Gazette.