by MANGALISO TSHUMA
BULAWAYO — IN a pivotal move ahead of the Nkulumane parliamentary by-election in Bulawayo on 20th December 2025, the opposition Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC) has announced Nompilo Bhebhe as its candidate, replacing Adelaide Mhlanga.
The party’s President, Timothy Mncube, confirmed the selection to Matabele Today, underscoring the high stakes in this contest.
The by-election follows the untimely death of Desire “Moyoxide” Moyo, the incumbent Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) MP for Nkulumane.
Moyo died on 10 October in a tragic accident on the Bulawayo–Gweru highway, when his vehicle collided with an elephant.
Widely respected as both a legislator and a poet, Moyo was known for his work on social justice, youth empowerment, and the arts.
Nkulumane is a key battleground constituency in Bulawayo: historically an opposition stronghold, it has never been won by ZANU-PF, the ruling party.
The seat’s symbolic weight has deepened since Moyo’s death, as residents have pledged to carry on his development agenda.
The December by-election features a crowded and competitive field: ZANU-PF, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), ZANC, and the CCC, which has nominated Mothusi Bashimane Ndlovu.
Beyond replacing a fallen MP, this contest is seen as a referendum on Moyo’s legacy, a test of opposition unity, and a barometer of political momentum in Bulawayo ahead of future national elections.
As campaigning intensifies, ZANC’s decision to field Bhebhe signals its ambition to expand influence — while other parties must navigate both sentiment and strategy to win the trust of Nkulumane’s electorate.
