ZANU PF prepares for Chikomba district by-elections

PREPARATIONS for Chikomba District Ward 7 and 12 by-elections are in full swing with the ruling party ZANU PF optimistic of winning both seats, ZANU PF chairman for Mashonaland East Province Cde Daniel Garwe has said. The ruling party has already selected its candidates who will represent it in the by-elections in both wards. Cde Pardon Mudzimu will represent the revolutionary party ZANU PF in Ward 12 and Cde Rosemary Fortunate Chakwanda in Ward 7.

The seat for Ward 7 became vacant following the death of Cde Florence Mudzamiri of ZANU PF, while that of Ward 12, the seat fell vacant after Ishmael Maukazuva of Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) was jailed for having a sexual relationship with a minor. In an interview with Zimpapers on the sidelines of the ZANU PF Mashonaland East provincial coordinating committee meeting (PCC) held in Marondera on Sunday, Cde Garwe said preparations for the by-elections are already underway, with resources being channeled towards winning the election. “As you know, we are going to have by-elections at the ward level in Chikomba district in Wards 7 and 12,” said Cde Garwe.

“We held successful primary elections and we came out with two candidates who will represent the ruling party in the two wards on election day. “We also went to court for registration and our candidates were approved. As we speak, guided by the Commissariat, we have deployed people on the ground, and resources are being availed and our provincial party commissar is leading the whole programme.” He added that several events have been lined up in both wards, where he, as the provincial chair, will attend, to address the people and ensure the revolutionary party wins the seats.

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“We have already set aside some days, that is, February 7 and 14, 2026, where we will launch our campaigns,” he said. “We are optimistic that these wards will be ours. ZANU PF will bag these seats, there is no doubt on that.

We are aware that we will face other political parties during these elections, but we will win. “We are the dominant party, loved by the majority so there is no doubt that we will win. Once we win, be assured that we will never let those wards go to another party in the future. So what I am saying is we are well prepared and we will definitely win those two wards.”

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