HARARE - The ruling Zanu PF, opposition parties — MDC and National Constituency Assembly (NCA), square off in council by-elections on Saturday that have been dogged by allegations of vote buying and violence.
The special elections are slated for Karoi Ward 10 in Hurungwe Central Constituency, Harare Ward 12 in Sunningdale Constituency and Zaka Ward 32 in Zaka East following vacancies created by deaths in the wake of the July 31 vote.
In Zaka, Zanu PF’s Togarepi Toruvanda will battle it out with Elias Budi Mutava of MDC and the NCA’s Enock Chikamhi.
In Karoi, Solomon Chiwaya Musekiwa of the MDC will battle Fortunate Madamombe of Zanu PF.
NCA candidate Garikayi Takura will square off with Maureen Nyemba of Zanu PF, Albert Mponda of MDC and Jack Ethen Muzanenhamo, an independent candidate, in Ward 12 in Harare.
Madock Chivasa, NCA spokesperson, claimed his party will spring a shocker in the by-elections.
“People will be surprised,” he said. “If you compare us to the MDC and Zanu PF you will realise we are the better choice. The MDC and Zanu PF have failed and their councillors are corrupt.”
Chivasa said the only blemish to the by-elections was the violence that flared up in Mbare after NCA supporters putting up posters were reportedly clobbered by Zanu PF supporters.
The MDC alleged in a statement that Zanu PF was vote buying in Karoi.
The opposition party claimed Zanu PF officials were distributing maize and fertiliser to residents of Ward 10 in Karoi.
“The MDC strongly condemns the move by Zanu PF as it is in clear disregard of the country’s Constitution, which in Chapter Seven Part 1, 155, 1 (d) states that; ‘Elections, which must be held regularly, must be free from violence and other malpractices’,” reads part of the MDC statement.
Zanu PF has rubbished the allegations, and said it was confident of victory.