Zanu PF Eyes Victory In Masvingo By-election Amid Growing Fears of Electoral Manipulation12 August 2025 Zanu PF Eyes Victory In Masvingo By-election Amid Growing Fears of Electoral Manipulation By A Correspondent Emmerson Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF is determined to secure victory in the Masvingo Urban Ward 7 by-election, but observers warn the ruling party is banking heavily on voter apathy, vote buying, and patronage rather than genuine support The by-election, scheduled for September 13 following the passing of Councillor Tafara Masimba, has drawn criticism over the credibility of the electoral process amid widespread concerns of manipulation Critics argue that Zanu PF’s focus appears to be on exploiting public fatigue and using unfair tactics to maintain control However, Zanu PF Masvingo provincial spokesperson Pepukai Chiwewe on Monday said: “I am pleased to confirm that Cde Simbarashe Shonhiwa is our duly elected candidate to represent us in the upcoming Masvingo Urban Constituency Ward 7 by-elections The primary elections were conducted in a free, fair, and transparent manner, allowing eligible voters to exercise their right Notably, all four participating candidates accepted the results, showcasing a commendable spirit of maturity and party discipline in our internal electoral process Our united goal is to reclaim Ward 7 for ZANU PF, ably led by His Excellency President Emmerson D Mnangagwa.” While Chiwewe expressed confidence in the party’s preparedness, critics remain unconvinced, pointing to a pattern of electoral malpractice The ruling party’s reliance on vote buying and patronage continues to cast doubt on the fairness of the upcoming by-election As the contest approaches, concerns linger over whether voters will be able to freely exercise their choice or if Zanu PF’s controversial tactics will dominate once again Like this:LikeLoading All Zim News is a central hub for all things Zimbabwean, curating news from across the country so no story is missed Alongside aggregation, our team of nationwide reporters provides real-time, on-the-ground coverage Stay informed and connected — reach us at admin@allzimnews.com Source: ZimEye Source: Zimeye
