December 9 by-elections are like a penalty in foot...

December 9 by-elections are like a penalty in football game: Chiwenga

Zim Now Writer

Vice President Constantino Chiwenga on Sunday said the upcoming by-elections are like a penalty in a game of football, adding that the party should use them as an opportunity to “bury” the opposition.

Addressing Zanu-PF supporters in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe’s biggest constituency, Chiwenga said the by-elections, which were necessitated by the controversial recall of opposition Citizens Coalition for Change MPs and councillors were “manna from heaven”.

“The by-elections are upon us, we have a confused opposition, which is fighting among itself,” he said.

“These elections are like a penalty in a game of football, let us seize this huge chance and bury the opposition, this is manna for us, so we need to go out in droves on Saturday and vote Cde Mujeyi to Parliament and Cde Mujuru to council chambers.”

Chiwenga further promised more development for the Cowdray Park community.

“Cowdray Park is a very big suburb yet it has only one secondary school, which sees our children walking long distances to attend school from the one secondary school here.

“We are going to take care of that by building more secondary schools here. This is not mere talk but something we will do because we are not just a talking leadership, we speak what we do,” the VP added.

Soon after the August 23 harmonised general elections, Sengezo Tshabangu, emerged claiming he was the CCC secretary-general before recalling 14 party MPs and more than 17 councillors. As if that was not enough, he, again, recalled 13 more MPs, necessitating two batches of by-elections.

The first one will be held on December 9 while the second one is slated for February 3, 2024.

CCC’s argument that Tshabangu is an imposter was thrown away by the courts. While some believe that Tshabangu is being sponsored by Zanu-PF to destabilise the opposition party, some view him as a front of certain disgruntled senior party officials.