… ..says will be in trouble with village head

Brighton Chiseva

A Zaka man who claimed to have lost his national identity card and could not vote pleaded with the presiding officer at St James Chivamba High School Polling Station to mark him with indelible ink so that he could show his village head whom he claimed was going to give him a hard time if he did not vote.

Robson Mugoti said villagers had been instructed by the village head to bring proof that they had voted, failure of which meant trouble.

“I plead with you to just put ink on my finger. I do not care about voting because my ID fell into a blair toilet pit; what I want is something to show to my village head because if I fail I will be in big trouble,” said Mugoti.

Mugoti caused a scene in the polling station refusing to sit on a chair which he was offered saying he wanted to show how serious he was with his request.

The presiding officer said the least they could do was registering him in their records, with Mugoti adamant that putting his name down was never going to help him unless the book was then taken to his village head afterwards.

“So if you write my name down will you take the book to my village head for him to see that I have been here? I don’t want trouble with him please I beg,” he said.

The presiding officer tried to give the Mugoti a chair to sit on as they discussed his issue but he refused opting to sit on the floor in the middle of the polling station.

In Zaka and many other rural areas in Masvingo, Zanu PF aligned organization Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) which had a desk at almost every polling station labelled ‘poll exit survey’, registering people before and after they voted, a development which was seen by many as a form of intimidation.

In other areas, village heads rounded up their people and allegedly forced them to pass through FAZ desk and those who failed to abide were threatened with undisclosed consequences.

Another form of intimidation was whereby known opposition supporters would allegedly be forced to pretend that they were not able to vote and would be assisted by someone.

Shocking statistics were recorded at a number of polling station in Zaka, Gutu, and Chiredzi where a significant number of people would be assisted to vote at ceratin polling stations.

At Jinjika Secodary School in Zaka, by 1500hrs, about 79 people had been assisted to vote at one polling station and surprisingly, the next polling station which is Mutonhori High, an opposition stronghold since 2008, only three people had been assisted to vote by around 1600hrs.

Perpetua Murungweni

The August 23 2023 election witnessed an increase in the number of women elected into councils in Masvingo Province from 23 in 2018 to 28.
A total of 28 women out of 242 seats were voted into rural and urban councils across Masvingo in the just-ended harmonized elections, an increase of 5 women from the 2018 elections.
Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) has five female councilors all from Zanu PF namely Emily Gatawa (Ward 1), Mary Mukweya (ward 3), Rhodhah Makazha (ward 27) all in Bikita South and Gladys Mutsvutsvuru (Ward16), Winfilda Nedombwe (ward 25) in Bikita East.
Chiredzi and Chivi Districts have one female councilor each namely Nomusa Gumbo of ward 16 in Chiredzi West and Chipo Makurunje who was re-elected for Chivi Central ward 2 both from Zanu PF.
Nine women from Zanu PF made it to council in Gutu District namely Theresa Dewah (ward 12), Jane Cheuke ward 15, Annamaria Zivai ward 36, Ndinatse Madzadzure 39, Martha Mukupe ward 18, Alphonncia, ward 19, Cecilia Esnat Mukarati ward 27, Ephania Makanga ward 21 and Elizabeth Ntandambani ward 22
In Masvingo City two women all from main opposition CCC namely Sabina Chikwangwani and Shantiel Chiwara were elected for wards 1 and 2 respectively.
Masvingo RDC has seven women; Scholastica Njaravani (CCC) ward 7, Junior Charumbira (Zanu PF) in ward 10 and Chiedza Makoti (CCC) in ward 11.
Sarah Munemo was elected in ward 13, while Virginia Hwenha was elected in ward 19, Sungano Matakanure retained her seat in ward 31 and Annah Stambuli (Independent) won in ward 35.
In Zaka district, three councilors from Zanu PF namely Sarah Mamvura, ward 1, Ellar Marodze ward 10 and Judith Chipote ward 21 returned to council having been councilors in the previous term.
Of the 28, 23 are from Zanu-PF, four are from Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) and one is independent.

Decide Nhendo

Masvingo Rural District Council (RDC)’s ward 25 seat has gone to the opposition for the first time since independence, a ward which, in all previous elections was a Zanu PF stronghold.

The ward was won by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) while the neighboring ward 35 moved from one independent candidate to another.

Zanu PF’s Livison Mudzonga had hopes for a fifth term, having been in council since 2005.

After 2005, Mudzonga went on to take the seat for four consecutive terms went after winning uncontested in 2008 after the creation of ward 35 (Renco Mine) which had proved to be an opposition stronghold and was neutralizing Zanu PF vote.

Mudzonga lost to his predecessor, Zanu PF councilor Tarusenga Mapamba’s namesake and nephew Tarusenga Mapamba of CCC with 67 votes.

Mapamba got 956 votes while Mudzonga had 889 votes which may have been facilitated by the electorate’s need for a new face representing the ward in council.

Ward 35 which is like an island in the middle of ward 25 went to independent candidate Annah Stambuli who defeated Siyai Neshanje who also won as independent in 2018, having been councilor and the people’s favorite since the creation of the ward in 2008.

Stambuli got 833 votes and CCC’s Beauty Ganje followed with 322 votes while Zanu PF’s Magret Shapoyi got 225 and the former councilor got 90 votes.

The two wards fall under former Ministers Edison Zvobgo and Walter Muzembi’s Masvingo South Constituency.

The constituency has proved to be a Zanu PF stronghold and has never been won by any other party since its creation.

Perpetua Murungweni

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) won 9 out of 10 council seats at Masvingo City Council in the just ended elections, gaining two more wards from seven they had in the previous term.

Sabina Chikwangwani, a new comer, won in ward 1 with 1493 votes against Zanu- PF’s Nabioth Magwizi who had 1362 votes, Edmond Maruta (Independent) with 316, and Vengai Hove who got 60 votes.

Former deputy mayor James Chiwara’s daughter Shantiel Chiwara got 2287 votes to win ward 2 defeating Zanu-PF’s Benson Hwata who had 1304 votes, MDC-T Anderson Paradza with 21 votes and DUZ Charity Shoko had 17 votes.

Another newcomer, Maxwell Madhuna won in ward 3 after garnering 1686 votes against Zanu-PF’s Taurayi Mudzwiti who had 946, MDC-T Emily Vhikai with 25 and ZZPP Pedzisai Zvirevo who got only 7 votes. .

Alec Tabe reclaimed ward 4 with 2213 votes beating Mufaro Nyanyiwa of Zanu PF who had 872 votes and Mary Dhungwaza followed with 59 votes.

In ward 5 Daniel Mberikunashe, managed to come back for a third term with 1652 defeating Zanu-PF’s Priciler Kambarami who got 868 votes, MDC-T Makiwa Ephanos with 51 and Veronica Garwi of DUZ who had 36.

Ward 6 has a new face in council, Wilstaff Sitemere who garnered 2563 votes while ZANU-PF’s Trust Muzvozviona got 1121 votes and ZZPP’s Masimba Mafodya had 42.

Another newbie, Tafara Masimba won in ward 7 with 2041 votes defeating Zanu-PF’s Takudzwa Wladek Majoni who got 814 votes, MDC-T Prosper Mataruse who got 20 and UZA Caiphas Nyambirai with 21 votes.

Richard Musekiwa managed to come back in council but in a different ward having been in ward 7 now contesing in ward 8. Musekiwa got 2357 votes defeating Prosper Dohwai of Zanu PF with 749, Charles Chipetu who garnered 73 and Sylvia Chisasa of DUZ who got 39 votes.

A new face, Bernad Muchokwa emerged winner in ward 9 winning with 2018 votes against Zanu-PF’s Against Chiteme who had 915 and MDC-T’s Amos Ngonyamo with who got 23 votes.

Zanu PF managed to win ward 10 with Sengerai Manyanga retaining his seat with 2081 votes defeating  CCC’s Alan Moyo who got had 1271 votes.

… CCC gets 31 and one independent

Beverly Bizeki

Zanu PF has dominated in Masvingo Province having won 210 council seats out of 242 while the main opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) won only 31 with the last one being won by an independent candidate.

According to results released by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Masvingo Provincial Command Center, in Bikita district, the ruling party won 30 seats out of 32 while CCC won 2 seats, one in Bikita East and one in Bikita West.

Out of 40 wards in Chiredzi District, Zanu PF won 30 seats while CCC got the remaining 10. Of the 10 six are from Chiredzi Central, two are from Chiredzi West, one from Chiredzi South and one from Chiredzi North.

In Chivi district Zanu PF won 31 out of the 32 while CCC only got one in Chivi Central.

In Gutu district, Zanu PF won 39 seats out of 41 while CCC won 2 seats, one in Gutu Central and another in Gutu West.

Of the 44 seats in Masvingo district Zanu PF won 28 while CCC won 15 seats and one independent. Of the 15, 9 are under Masvingo City Council.

In Mwenezi district Zanu PF had a clean sweep in all 18 wards while in Zaka district, the ruling party won 33 seats out of 34 and CCC got only Zaka Central ward 19 (Jerera).

Beverly Bizeki

Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has managed to snatch two wards from Zanu PF in Masvingo City leaving the ruling party with only one ward from the three it got in 2018.

Zanu PF lost ward 8, whose main area is now in ward 9 after delimitation and was represented by Against Chiteme and ward 6 which was previously occupied by Wellington Mahwende, who then went on to contest for a parliamentary seat.

Ward 6 was then won by CCC’s Wilstaff Sitemere who defeated Trust Muzvozviona. Sitemere got 2 563 votes while Muzvozviona got 1 121 votes and the 3^rd candidate ZZPP candidate got 42 votes only.

Chiteme lost to Benard Muchokwa who had 2 018 votes while against his 915 votes.

Zanu PF will have ward 10’s Sengerai Manyanga as the sole party representative at Town House.

Manyanga told TellZim News that though he was happy to have retained his seat, he was worried on how he will push the party’s agenda alone in council.

“I am happy because in ward 10, Zanu PF won resoundingly which shows that people still have trust in me and want to development in their ward.

“However, it doesn’t sit well with me to be the only Zanu PF councilor. I believe it is God’s will and I will try to cover all wards on behalf of my party,” said Manyanga.

Manyanga will be going for a second term as ward 10 councilor.

Perpetua Murungweni

The European Union Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) concluded that curtailed rights and lack of level playing field led to an environment that was not conducive to voters making a free and informed choice in Zimbabwe’s 2023 Harmonized Elections.

In in a press statement, EU EOM, Chief Observer Fabio Massimo Castaldo said the Zimbabwean election was largely calm but disorderly.

“While Election Day was assessed by the EU EOM as largely calm, the election process overally was hampered by significant issues regarding the independence and transparency of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). The ZEC missed opportunities to increase public trust in the integrity of voting and results management.

“The failure of ZEC to provide critical electoral material such as paper ballots resulted in many polling stations opening with severe delays, leading to an increasingly tense atmosphere in some locations,” said Castaldo.

“The EU EOM also noted the central role of the judiciary in the process, given the unprecedented high number of pre-election court challenges, pertaining to both right to contest and validity of all key legal texts, some of which remain unresolved”, said Castaldo.

He also noted that there was lack of level playing field, particularly regarding the freedom of assembly.

“The campaign presented voters with a range of viewpoints, but there was a lack of level playing field, particularly regarding the freedom of assembly”, said Castaldo.

Castaldo also stressed his concern over the arrest of accredited observer organizations who were exercising their constitutional rights.

“The passing of regressive legal provisions and acts of violence and intimidation resulted in a climate of fear.  The violent arrest of members of accredited citizen observer organizations ZESN and ERC, who exercised their constitutional rights, on 23 August, is of great concern. Both organizations are credible and respected human rights defenders,” said Castaldo

Castaldo emphasized that the 2023 Zimbabwean elections fell short of regional and international standards.

“Ultimately the elections fell short of many regional and international standards, including key principles of equality, universality, transparency and accountability.”

“The EU EOM’s media analysis revealed similar short-comings. State-controlled media allocated substantially more airtime and print space to the ruling party, President Mnangagwa and the government,” said Castaldo.

The EU EOM noted in the press release that they experienced problems in assessing official bodies despite an administrative arrangement between the Zimbabwean government and the EU.

“EU EOM experienced problems in assessing official bodies this was despite an administrative arrangement between the Zimbabwean government and the European Union which stipulated access to all participants in the electoral process.

The EU EOM also deplores an extensive and sustained disinformation and defamation campaign in some media and social platforms against the EU EOM and other international observer organizations,” said Castaldo.

The EU EOM was invited by the government of Zimbabwe to observe the 2023 Harmonized Elections.

Perpetua Murungweni

Zimbabwe’s main opposition, Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has gained one more parliamentary seat in Masvingo Province making them two from one it got in 2018.

CCC won the newly created Chiredzi Central constituency and retained Masvingo Urban which was their sole seat in the past five year term.

CCC’s Ropafadzo Makumire who won Chiredzi Central was Chiredzi Town Council Vice Chairperson having gotten into council in 2018 as an independent candidate and later joined CCC on its formation.

Makumire garnered 123442 votes, while his former boss Gibson Hwende who was council chairperson and contested as an independent candidate got 676 and Francis Moyo of Zanu PF who was council chairperson between 2013 and 2018 also got 7832 votes.

Zanu PF won 23 out of 25 constituencies and the 26^th, Gutu West had no election following the death of one the candidates Christopher Mutonhori Rwodzi died before elections and will have a by-election at a later date.

In 2013, Zanu PF won all the 26 constituencies and lost Masvingo Urban to MDC-Alliance in 2018.

Beverly Bizeki 

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) results released recently, out of the 26 constituencies in Masvingo Province, only two women made it to parliament through the ballot.

The two are both Zanu PF and from Mwenezi District where Priscilla Zindari Moyo retained Mwenezi West and Sheillah Chikomo won in the newly created Mwenezi East Constituency.

Chikomo garnered 17 234 against Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC)’s Martin Taruona who got 1 910.

In Mwenezi West, Moyo got 14 391 defeating Brilliant Chifumuro of CCC who garnered 1 054 and Tafadzwa Shumba Dhererai who contested as independent and got 6 495 votes.

Out of 59 candidates who contested for parliamentary seats, only four women contested in the elections.

The other two are Magret Mutswunguma and Fungai Chamisa. Mutswunguma contested in Chivi North on United Zimbabwe Alliance (UZA) ticket and lost to Godfrey Mukungunugwa of Zanu PF.

Chamisa contested in Chiredzi North on a CCC ticket and garnered 2 584 but lost to Roy Bhila who got 18 696 votes.

In 2018, there were only three women parliamentarians namely Berita Chikwama from Gutu East, Yeukai Simbanegavi in Gutu North and Moyo in Mwenezi West were elected.

…wins council seat in Zaka

Brighton Chiseva

There was a shocking incident on Election Day in Zaka district at St James Chivamba High School polling station in ward 15, Zaka Central where the school deputy head and Zanu PF candidate for the local authority seat was assisted to vote on the polling day.
The deputy head Simion Chakazani is alleged to have been assisted by a local and known Zanu PF man only identified as Chadya after allegedly telling polling officers that he wanted help.
When contacted for comment on the matter, Zanu PF provincial spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe said he was not aware of the incident but said there was nothing amiss over what he did because it’s his right.
“I haven’t heard about that incident but there is nothing wrong with what he did, it’s his right if he was not forced to do so. Maybe he did it for fun like in some cases people say they want to be assisted by their chairperson or any other person,” Chiwewe said.
Sources said Chakazani could have been forced to be assisted as he had allegedly tried to pull of the race after his salary was ceased by the public service for being an active member in political parties having won the primaries to represent Zanu PF.
“Chakazani tried to pull off the race after his salary was ceased and he wasn’t sure of the outcome of the election. He opted to remain a teacher than losing both. I think he was forced to remain as candidate that is why he was assisted to vote since they were afraid that he might waste his vote,” said the source
By 1300hrs, the polling station had already recorded 60 assisted voters and the reasons were said to be old age, nervousness, poor eyesight and blindness among other reasons.
Cases of voter intimidation are alleged to have reigned supreme in the district and a number of people were forced to say they were illiterate and had to be assisted to vote and in a shocking incident
One of the Zanu PF groupings known as Forever Associates of Zimbabwe (FAZ) had a desk where they recorded every person who was coming to vote.
Zanu PF went on to win all three parliamentary seats in the district and won 33 out of 34 local authority seats having poached two, ward 11 and 22 from CCC which previously held the seats.