Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
ZANU-PF has won the Gweru Ward 17 council by-election held over the weekend, claiming a seat that had been in the hands of the MDC-T since 2008. The by-election was triggered by the death of Gweru deputy mayor councillor Artwell Matyorauta in April this year due to a heart problem.
Cde Stanford Mukotami of Zanu-PF polled 571 votes against an independent candidate, Mr Artwell Matyorauta, the late deputy mayor’s son.
He polled 317 votes.
Another independent candidate, Mr Josh Katazo polled 143 votes.
Already, Zanu-PF has regained the council’s ward 4 and 11 that were in the hands of MDC-T following the 2013 general elections.
Zanu-PF Midlands provincial spokesperson, Cde Cornelius Mupereri said the results were a clear indication that the party was making inroads into MDC-T strongholds in the province.
He said in the 2018 elections, the party was going to make a clean sweep in the province.
“It’s proof that the revolutionary party is solid and is still gaining lost ground in the province. The electorate has confidence in the party and come 2018 we will sweep the ground clean,” he said.