Zanu PF celebrates urban-council seats gain

Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity, Farai Marapira

Oscar J Jeke

The ruling Zanu PF is celebrating its victory in the just-ended March 9 by-election that saw former Citizens’ Coalition for Change councillors contest in the respective wards as Independents, with Zanu PF officials branding unpopular claims of the party as laughable.

The by-elections in Chinhoyi ward 4 and Harare ward 36 were triggered by the recall of the CCC councillors by the interim secretary-general, Senator Sengezo Tshabangu, including that of former Harare City Mayor, Lovejoy Chitengu and Muzanenhamo Archbord, who all lost to Zanu PF contestants.

Posting on X, Zanu PF Director of Information and Publicity, Farai Marapira said that the victories are proof that the ruling party is popular among the electorate, adding that opposition claims of unpopularity of the party are laughable.

“Zanu PF Officials’ unsurprising victories in Harare ward 36 and Chinhoyi ward 4 speak volumes about our unwavering popularity. The notion that we are becoming unpopular day by day is simply laughable. Zanu PF remains the party that truly cares about the nation and its people. The electorate has unequivocally demonstrated their trust and support through these by-election victories.”

“They vote based on the resonating message of unity, progress, and prosperity, rejecting the opposition's hate speech and divisive rhetoric. Zanu PF's unwavering commitment to the nation strikes a chord with the electorate, leading to these remarkable triumphs. Together, let's continue building a stronger and more prosperous Zimbabwe envisioned by His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa,” Marapira added.

The former mayor, Lovejoy Chitengu polled 1 115 votes, losing to Ruzani Hilda of Zanu PF who got 1 202 votes in Ward 36, while in Chinhoyi ward 4 Muzanenhamo Archbord had 675 votes losing to Zvigadza of Zanu PF who garnered 728 votes.