GUTU – ZANU PF has launched its Gutu West by- election campaign and is
confident of retaining the seat, which it has held since 2000.
The seat could not be contested for during the August 23/24 harmonised elections
following the death of independent candidate, who had successfully filed nomination.
The by-election will now be contested for on November 11, 2023. The nominee for
the seat, Christopher Rwodzi, died in a traffic accident a few days after sitting of the
nomination court.
Rwodzi had successfully filed for nomination as an independent candidate, alongside
Zanu PFs John Paradza, who had been the sitting MP, and Ephraim Murudu of
Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC).
The constituency, which had five other Independent candidates the local authority
seats, scored the highest Presidential votes out of the district’s four constituencies
during the harmonised elections.
Made up of 10 Wards, eight of which are old and new resettlement areas, Gutu West
has been Zanu PF's membership support flagship since 2000.
Speaking at the by-election launch at Chivake Primary School, Vice- President Zanu
PF and Second Secretary, Kembo Mohadi, told multitudes of party members from
the constituency, that victory is certain.
This area, which had been under the leadership of the late Vice-President Simon
Vengai Muzenda, has been a known and unshakable Zanu PF stronghold, which will
never let the country's sovereignty slip away as its residents jealously safeguard the
hard-earned land reform programme, Mohadi said.
Referring to the disbelief that has taken opposition parties and their handlers to task
over the Zanu PF two thirds majority victory during the August harmonised elections,
Mohadi said there was no magic or muti but sheer Zimbabweans conviction on
safeguarding national sovereignty over growing external and internal Western neo-
colonialist efforts on the country.
Detractors will never rest until attainment of their dream to push Zanu PF out of
power. But it should be known that these are just day dreams which are never
achievable since Zimbabweans have their convictions on safeguarding their national
sovereignty and liberation struggle ideological credentials.”
Shooting down assertions that the harmonised elections were rigged, not free and
fair for the opposition CCC, hence need for a re-run or government of National Unity,
Mohadi said this was never going to happen as there is no hung Parliament, but a
two majority win by Zanu PF.
Zimbabweans should not be distracted by the neo-colonial strategies being
employed to derail our long journey to Canaan, which is vision for an Upper Middle
Class Economy by 2030.
“Let us focus on the many developmental achievements so far which have come up
through the able leadership of His Excellency Cde Emmerson Dambudzo
Mnangagwa,” he said.
John Paradza, got into Parliament at a tender age of 26, paving way for youth
leadership in the party. He is running for his second term at a time he has rose from
the structures to district, provincial and now national deputy secretary for youth and
Politburo member during the past five years.
Affectionately known as Boss Para” among his peers and Youth League members
Paradza was reminded by Mohadi of the mammoth task he faces in trying to fit into
his predecessor, the late VP Simon Muzenda, in ensuring the area remains a Zanu
PF fortress.
Mohadi also called on party members to safeguard against the opposition CCC’s
internal fights and resultant fragmentation which they want to blame on Zanu PF.
Recent social media speculation of alleged recalling of 70 Zanu PF MPs by an
alleged party secretary general was a farce bent on creating fissures in the party.
The Gutu West victory will take Masvingo Province to a total of 24 seats. Currently it
has 23 seats out of the 26 in the province, tying it with the Midlands Province. –
Rural Communication Services.
