Story by Aifheli Mudau
ZANU PF has begun intensifying its campaign activities ahead of by-elections scheduled for February 21 in five vacant local authority wards across the country, as political parties prepare for contests triggered by vacancies in several councils.
Among the affected areas is Ward 14 in Beitbridge West Constituency, where a by-election was necessitated by the death of Councillor Milton Ndou. Party officials say mobilisation efforts are already underway as ZANU PF seeks to regain the ward.
Beitbridge West legislator Honourable Thusani Ndou said the ruling party’s return to the ward would accelerate development initiatives aimed at improving service delivery and livelihoods within the community.
“Once the ruling ZANU PF party reclaims this Ward 14, a lot of developments are set to be accelerated towards the community, there are a lot of developmental projects ranging from schools, rural health centres, solarised boreholes and Village Business Units,” Honourable Ndou said.
ZANU PF Central Committee member Cde Mazibisa Ngwenya said the party was encouraging broad participation among its members as preparations for the polls gather pace.
“We are all out to reach out to our ZANU PF members, telling them about the coming by elections so that those who want to participate in the by-elections are free to do so since we are a party of freedom,” Cde Ngwenya weighed in.
Beitbridge Senator Cde Tambudzani Mohadi called for unity within the party structures and encouraged women to play an active role in the electoral process.
“Nothing will stop us from winning if we are united. I encourage women to also participate,” Senator Mohadi added.
The ruling party is heavily tipped to win the by-elections after having rolled out developmental projects across the country that are set to improve the lives of the masses.
“We do not dream of losing these coming by-elections to any party because we fought and liberated this country and developmental projects are coming to communities and we are very confident ZANU PF will do the will of the people,” Chairperson of the ZNWVA Matabeleland South Province, Cde Alfred Moyo said.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission has confirmed that the by-elections will take place on February 21 in Ward 14 of Beitbridge West, Ward 13 in Matobo, Ward 1 in Chegutu, and Wards 7 and 12 in Chikomba.
