by MANGALISO TSHUMA
BULAWAYO – THE Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declared Zanu PF candidate Freedom Phineas Murechu the winner of the Nkulumane constituency by-election, which was held on Saturday to fill a vacancy left by the death of the sitting Member of Parliament, Desire Moyo.
The by-election attracted low voter turnout, reflecting growing political disengagement in the constituency.
Out of 22,682 registered voters, only a small fraction cast their ballots, leaving more than 17,000 eligible voters abstaining.
Many residents cited voter apathy, arguing that parliamentary elections have historically failed to deliver tangible development or improved service delivery in Nkulumane, and the entire Matabeleland region.
Murechu secured victory ahead of a crowded field of opposition and independent candidates whose combined vote remained significantly lower.
Independent candidate Rodney Jele finished second with 745 votes. He was followed by Excellia Ester Zitha, the widow of the late MP, who garnered 325 votes. Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Muthusi Ndlovu received 320 votes.
Other contenders included Mbuso Fuzwayo of Ibhetshu LikaZulu with 121 votes, ZAPU’s Viyo Vivian Siziba with 110, and Alson Moyo of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), who polled 65 votes.
MDC-T candidate Ethel Sibanda managed 23 votes, while Nompilo Ncube of the Zimbabwe African National Congress (ZANC) received 18.
The results highlight the fragmentation of the opposition vote, a factor that has increasingly benefited the ruling party in recent elections.
Political analysts argue that disunity among opposition parties, coupled with voter fatigue and scepticism, continues to weaken electoral competitiveness in urban constituencies traditionally viewed as opposition strongholds.
In the 2023 general elections, the late Desire Moyo had won the Nkulumane seat with 9,880 votes, while Murechu finished a distant second with 2,402.
The by-election outcome therefore represents a significant shift in the constituency’s political landscape.
