VP Mnangagwa slams MDC-T…Praises Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe, Mt Darwin West voters Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and wife Auxilia after casting votes in the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency yesterday
Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and wife Auxilia after casting votes in the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency yesterday

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and wife Auxilia after casting votes in the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe constituency yesterday

Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
VICE President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said the MDC-T’s decision to boycott the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe by-election held yesterday was a non-event since the number of contesting candidates had increased from the usual three in the previous polls to five.

He said the opposition party’s boycott did not mean that the by-elections for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe and Mt Darwin West, which was also held yesterday, were a “one horse race”.

Speaking soon after casting his vote at Sherwood Primary School in Chirumhanzu- Zibagwe constituency, VP Mnangagwa said Zimbabwe’s democracy remained strong despite the MDC-T’s boycott of the by-elections.

VP Mnangagwa said he was proud of Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe and Mt Darwin West voters for voting peacefully.

The Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe seat fell vacant after VP Mnangagwa was appointed to the top post following the sacking of former Vice President Joice Mujuru in December last year.

The Mt Darwin seat also fell vacant when Mujuru was appointed VP after the 2013 general elections.

“In fact it’s on radio that throughout Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe, there have been no reports of incidences (violence), it’s very peaceful. The same with Mt Darwin, no incidences, very peaceful, we’re grateful to our people, it shows maturity,” said VP Mnangagwa.

He said the Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe by-election had seen a rise in the number of candidates, an indication that the country was now more democratic.

“I was just looking at the number of contestants for Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe and there are five of them. During my time there were always three that would contest the seat which means it’s more democratic now than before,” VP Mnangagwa said.

There were five candidates in Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe — Auxilia Mnangagwa (Zanu-PF and the VP’s wife), Munashe Mutodza (NCA), Abigail Rumbidzai Musambasa (Transform Zimbabwe), Gadzamoyo Dehwa (Good People’s Movement) and Chawaona Wilbroad Kanoti (an Independent).

VP Mnangagwa said he was confident that his wife would retain the seat.

“With regards to Cde Auxillia Mnangagwa, I’ve no doubt that she’ll win. The only problem will be if she beats me in numbers because that’ll be problematic at home,” he said jokingly.

Responding to a question on what he would do during the 2018 harmonised elections since he had relinquished his seat, VP Mnangagwa said he would deal with the matter at that time.

“This is 2018 (you’re talking about), we all get dissolved when parliament dissolves. She’ll also get dissolved. We shall discuss about who goes where at that stage,” he added.

Cde Auxilia Mnangagwa said she was looking forward to representing Chirumhanzu-Zibagwe in parliament.

She said by God’s grace she was going to win the by-election.

“I think with God’s grace I’m going to win. I’ve been praying to win the seat. I know at the end of the day the pleasure will be mine and not the opposition,” Cde Mnangagwa said.

She said if elected, she would do her work diligently and put her husband to task so that they implement projects he started for the development of the constituency.

Meanwhile, voting in the constituency started in earnest at 7AM when polling stations in the constituency opened.

At Soma Homestead polling station in Ward 1, there were a handful of voters when The Chronicle visited around 7:15AM.

Few more voters were trickling in to cast their votes.

There were only two polling agents representing Zanu-PF and Transform Zimbabwe candidates.

At Riverside Primary School, there was a hive of activity as scores of people queued to cast their votes.

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