Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
THE ruling Zanu-PF party retained the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe and Mt Darwin West constituencies after Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa and Cde Banwell Seremwe registered landslide victories in the weekend by-elections, asserting the revolutionary party’s dominance. Mr Joshua Mhino, the constituency election officer, announced the election of Cde Mnangagwa as the new Member of Parliament for the constituency at Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe command centre in Mvuma yesterday.
Mr Mhino said Cde Mnangagwa garnered 16 092 votes out of a total valid votes cast of 16 970. In Mt Darwin West, meanwhile, Cde Seremwe coasted to a big victory, bagging 18 315 votes while Mr Kennedy Fungai of TZ got 302 and the NCA’s Mr Rueben Mafigu got 216.
“Zanu-PF’s Auxilia Mnangagwa, received total votes of 16 092, Munashe Mutodza of National Constitutional Assembly received total votes of 79, Abigail Rumbidzai Musambasa of Transform Zimbabwe received total votes of 456, Gadzamoyo Dehwa of Good People’s Movement received total votes of 86, Chawaona Wilbroad Kanoti — Independent received total votes of 25,” said Mr Mhino.
He said there were 347 spoilt papers and zero unaccounted ballots.
“I, Joshua Mhino do hereby declare Mnangagwa Auxilia of Zanu-PF to be the duly elected Member of National Assembly for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency with effect from March 28, 2015,” he said.
An elated Cde Mnangagwa said the party’s retention of the seat was a clear indication that the people were tired of fly-by-night small political parties which she said were suffering stillbirths.
She said the ruling party was the only political party worth its salt, adding that the people of Chirumhanzu- Zibagwe were destined for socio-economic development after retaining Zanu-PF.
“People are now tired of these small parties that come and go without offering any real value to them. So the people voted for Zanu-PF, a party with a rich history coming from the armed struggle. This is a clear message to these small parties that their days are numbered,” said Cde Mnangagwa.
Cde Mnangagwa, who could not contain her happiness for representing Zanu-PF in the National Assembly, said as a dedicated politician, a mother, farmer and businesswoman, she wanted to work hand in glove with her people so that they work with their hands for their families, constituency and country at large.
She said work on equipping the voters had already started as evidenced by her assisting them to set up self-help projects such as poultry in each and every ward in the constituency.
“I want to sit down with them, talk to them so that we also agree on what projects they want according to the resources in their wards. It is high time that we make use of the resources around our people for socio-economic development. The economic blueprint — Zim Asset — can only benefit our people if they have something to do with their hands,” said Cde Mnangagwa.
She said the community bank she started for women in the constituency now had over $120 000 which the women were lending to each other to uplift their lives.
She said through the community bank, some women had constructed houses, some started projects and others bought movable property.
“I am energetic and hardworking and I want to leave a legacy in this constituency,” said Cde Mnangagwa.
Cde Mnangagwa also took time to thank the opposition parties and the independent candidate for participating in the elections.
She said that it was evidence that democracy existed in the country.
Cde Mnangagwa has become a darling in the constituency and is famous for rolling out a lot of developmental projects which include construction of clinics, refurbishment of roads and schools as well as drilling over 10 boreholes across the constituency to address water challenges.
Vice-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday said the boycotting of Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe by-election by opposition MDC-T was a non-event adding that he was proud of voters in Chirumhanzu- Zibagwe and Mt Darwin West for voting peacefully.
According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission 34 193 people were registered to vote.
There were 85 polling stations, 30 election observers and their deputies and 400 police details.
The Chirumanzu-Zibagwe constituency fell vacant following the elevation of Cde Mnangagwa, Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa’s husband, to the position of Vice- President.