By Cde Patriot Sunungura
Voter apathy emerged as the biggest winner in two by-elections held on Saturday in Nkayi Rural District Ward 16 and Masvingo Urban Ward 7.
With the opposition in disarray and largely confined to social media, ZANU PF is reaping the rewards in these contests.
After dismantling CCC through Sengezo Tshabangu, the ruling party is having a field day against independent candidates and Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC.
In Nkayi Ward 16, Sindisiwe Tshabalala was declared the winner with just 278 votes, while independent candidate Jabulani Ndlovu secured 128.
Ronald Tshabalala of MDC could only manage 69 votes — not even enough to fill a 75-seater Yutong bus! How the mighty have fallen.
The party now resembles an empty shell, serving mostly to provide Mwonzora not with votes, but with rentals collected at Morgan Richard Tsvangirai House every month.
MRP also got a rude awakening that voters are not ready for tribal politics, receiving only 10 votes — not enough to fill a Hiace commuter omnibus to capacity.
Some might argue that Nkayi is a rural ward where intimidation is common, but in Masvingo Urban Ward 7, the script was no different.
Simbarashe Shonhiwa of ZANU PF, declared winner, received only 703 votes.
Independent candidate Struggle Nyahunda managed 192 votes, while another independent, Prosper Tiringindi, could only secure 119 votes.
Yet another MDC candidate, Prosper Mataruse, could only manage 11 votes.
Meanwhile, ZANU PF continues to sing the 2030 hymn, despite President Ruka Chivende asserting he is “a constitutionalist” and will step down after serving two terms in 2028.
After receiving US$3 million supposedly for “women empowerment,” ZANU PF Women’s League boss Mabel Chinomona has found reason to plead for President Mnangagwa to remain in power beyond 2028.
