Published: 14 April 2025

Zanu-PF candidate Tsitsi Tranquillity Tawomhera has been declared the winner of the Glen View South parliamentary by-election after securing 3,404 votes, comfortably defeating four other contenders in a race marked by low voter turnout and intra-party tensions among the opposition.

According to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) constituency elections officer, Killian Gambe, Tawomhera outpolled her nearest rival, independent candidate Tonderai Chakeredza, who garnered 993 votes. Other contenders included fellow independents George Makwangwadze (681 votes) and Tungamirai Madzokere (234 votes), while Perpetua Mukanda of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) trailed with 77 votes.

The by-election recorded a turnout of just 17.2%, underscoring growing voter apathy and a fragmented political field following the internal turmoil in the opposition ranks.

The poll was necessitated by the death of Grandmore Hakata, who had represented the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) before his passing. The CCC did not field an official candidate for the by-election, with three candidates who once aligned with the party contesting as independents, creating confusion and splits within the opposition vote.

The Zimbabwe Election Support Network (ZESN), which monitored the election, reported that although the campaign period was largely peaceful, tensions simmered between political actors. The most notable incidents involved confrontations between NCA and Zanu-PF supporters, with both sides accusing each other of defacing campaign posters.

Another significant event occurred in Ward 32, where the property of a local councillor, including vehicles and part of the house, was vandalised. While the motive remains unclear, the councillor reportedly suspects internal sabotage from a faction within her own party. The presence of multiple independent candidates previously aligned to CCC was cited as a source of friction.

Despite the controversies, Tawomhera's victory adds another seat to Zanu-PF's parliamentary tally, as the party continues to benefit from divisions within the opposition.

Political analysts say the result reflects both the organisational strength of the ruling party and the current disarray among opposition forces, which continues to dampen voter enthusiasm and unity within urban constituencies traditionally dominated by the opposition.
- online

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