Zanu-PF Consolidates Control in Urban Areas Following By-Election Sweep

The ruling Zanu-PF party has strengthened its dominance over urban politics after securing a clean sweep in recent local authority by-elections, further weakening an already fragmented opposition.

In Epworth’s Ward 6, Zanu-PF candidate Bushe Civilisen emerged victorious with a commanding 3,022 votes. Her opponents, Alice Nyahunzvi of the MDC-T and independent Peter Nyapetwa, managed just 120 and 23 votes, respectively. The voter turnout stood at 25.8%, with 25 ballots rejected.

Zanu-PF also claimed victory in Chinhoyi’s Ward 14, where Solomon Bizwork received 599 votes to defeat independent candidate Hope Zimbiri, who secured 194 votes. The turnout in that ward was 34.25%.

South Africa-based Zanu-PF supporter Kudzai Mutisi attributed the Epworth win to the strategic efforts of businessman Dr. Kudakwashe Tagwirei. Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Mutisi praised Tagwirei’s urban campaign approach, saying, “Dr. Tagwirei’s formula for winning in urban areas works,” and declared that Zimbabwe was now “every square inch a Zanu-PF stronghold.”

These by-election results continue a growing pattern of Zanu-PF regaining ground in urban constituencies historically dominated by the opposition. The MDC-T, under Douglas Mwonzora, failed to gain traction, while the faction aligned with Nelson Chamisa did not participate in the contests.