(Last Updated on October 7, 2020 by Editor)
GWANDA – MDC-Alliance’s Njabulo Siziba today won the Gwanda Mayoral race to replace Jastone Mazhale who was recalled by the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T, defeating the Khupe backed candidate in the process.
Recently Douglas Mwonzora acting is his capacity as secretary general of the MDC-T wrote the Minister of Local Government, July Moyo advising that the party had recalled Mazhale after he chose to remain as part of the MDC-Alliance.
However, the remaining candidates defied the directive to vote in an MDC-T backed candidate as the new mayor instead voting for Siziba who was nominated by MDC-Alliance.
Political analyst Kimberely Tariro Mamhende said, “MDC Alliance led by President Nelson Chamisa is still popular. Councillors elected under MDC Alliance are defying MDC T and are no-longer afraid to be fired from council.”
Adding that Zanu-Pf and the Khupe led MDC-T had agreed to postpone the by-elections citing Covid-19 because they feared to be defeated and embarrassed by the Chamisa led MDC-Alliance in free and fair elections.
Chalton Hwende, the Alliance’s secretary general took to Twitter to acknowledge the victory by party members in Gwanda.
“Congrats to our remaining Cllrs in Gwanda for defeating the Zanu-PF backed Mwonzora rebellion team. We secured the Mayorship against all the odds. Thanks to our Provincial Leadership and our National Local Gvt Secretary Hon Zvidzai.”
So far Khuphe and her allies have been failing to turn the recalls to their advantage with the majority of the remaining councillors defying the threats and choosing to back the MDC-Alliance.
It also happened in Harare after Khupe recalled a number of Councillors including former Mayor, Hebert Gomba and tried to tilt the mayoral reelection race in their favour.
However, Jacob Mafume of the MDC-Alliance emerged the winner defeating the Khupe backed candidate.