Zanu-pf election clean sweep secures third presidential term in Zimbabwe

‘The ruling party has demonstrated that it will stop at nothing in its push for a one-party state’

ZIMBABWE’S ruling Zanu-pf now commands a two-thirds majority in parliament and could amend the constitution and prolong President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s control after by-election results released yesterday.

The party won a clean sweep in six constituency elections after a peculiar political manoeuvre that was denounced as fraud by the opposition.

Rodney Kiwa, chairman of the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission, told AFP: “Elections went well. Zanu-pf has won in all the six constituencies. I do confirm that position.”

This was the second time Zimbabwe has held parliamentary by-elections since the start of a political crisis that has hobbled the opposition and may now cement 81-year-old Mr Mnangagwa’s control.

Analysts and opposition activists warn Zanu-pf could now wield its majority of 190 seats out of the 280 total to remove a two-term limit on the presidency and allow Mr Mnangagwa to stand again.

The six seats became vacant after Sengezo Tshabangu, a self-proclaimed interim secretary general of the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change, orchestrated the recall of six of the party’s MPS. Opposition supporters attacked the move, insisting Mr Tshabangu was a Zanu-pf stooge who was imposed on the opposition party to disrupt it and build a ruling party majority to secure Mr Mnangagwa’s rule.

“The ruling party has demonstrated that it will not stop at anything in its push for a one-party state and an all-powerful president,” said Obert Masaraure, spokesman for civil society umbrella group the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition.

Zanu-pf has long denied having anything to do with Mr Tshabangu and rejects claims that it aims to create a one-party state.

When general elections were last held Zanu-pf was 10 seats short of the two-thirds majority in parliament. Now, after a series of disputed by-elections, it has attained that goal.