HARARE – Zanu PF candidates won Saturday’s National Assembly by-elections in Mt Pleasant and Harare East triggering recriminations in opposition ranks.
The two seats were vacated by Citizen Coaition for Change MPs Fadzayi Mahere and Allan Norman Markham in February, they said in solidarity with the party’s former leader Nelson Chamisa who quit the party abruptly on January 29 citing “infiltration”.
Zanu PF’s Kiven Mutimbanyoka is the new MP for Harare East after polling 3,533 votes to beat independent Cynthia Ropafadzo Cheza who managed 1,974 votes.
George Mashavane, with 3,205 votes, will represent Mt Pleasant in parliament after beating independents Nason Mamuse (945 votes) and Brian Ticky (220 votes).
The voter turnout was 11.6 percent in Mt Pleasant and 15.2 percent in Harare East.
Bulawayo’s CCC mayor David Coltart ignited an opposition firestorm on X, formerly Twitter, after appearing to accuse Mahere and Markham of donating the seats to Zanu PF.
Coltart said while the actions of self-styled CCC secretary general Sengezo Tshabangu to recall several other party lawmakers was a factor in Mahere and Markham’s decisions to leave parliament, his view was that “democrats handed these seats to Zanu PF on a platter.”
“These seats went to Zanu PF because two distinguished MPs resigned of their own accord… Despite this utterly flawed parliament we need to use every possible avenue to oppose tyranny. In the absence of other viable non violent options my own opinion, and it is just that, an opinion, is that we have no choice but to use every possible peaceful avenue to speak truth to power,” Coltart wrote.
Mahere immediately pushed back against Coltart, writing: “Nobody who is being true to the chronology of events would suggest that we resigned ‘of our own accord.’ That’s the bit that’s not factual. In fact, it’s disingenuous.
“Have you already forgotten the events that led to the resignation? Are you forgetting that whole blocs of MPs were illegally recalled? Are you forgetting that after being illegally recalled, their by-election campaigns were attacked by violent thugs? Are you forgetting that campaign team members were abducted and murdered with zero accountability?
“Are you forgetting that sitting MPs were abducted and tortured while the perpetrators who were caught on video were never brought to book? Are you forgetting that our members were banned from contesting for no reason? Are you forgetting that Zanu PF gold mafia members were then handed seats uncontested? Are you forgetting how the will of the people was desecrated in Bulawayo? Are you forgetting that each time we took the system on in parliament we were silenced, removed from parliament by armed riot police and suspended? Are you aware that they’ll only let you speak on matters that don’t offend them? Why should Zanu PF dictate who sits in parliament?…”
Coltart said his comments were “not intended as an attack on either Mahere or Markham, both of whom are dear and trusted friends.”
He added: “My comments were borne from deep sadness, concern and regret that neither of them are still in parliament. Both are amongst the finest parliamentarians in Zimbabwe and our nation is all the poorer not having them there.
“However, my comments were interpreted as an attack on them and for that I apologise unreservedly. Whilst I disagree with their decision (to resign), I understand why they took it and my respect for them both remains undiminished.”
Zanu PF political commissar Mike Bimha said: “Zanu PF has once again shown its pedigree and popularity after resoundingly winning the Mt Pleasant and Harare East parliamentary by-elections in which it outclassed independent candidates who were funded by opposition forces led by Mr Nelson Chamisa.”
