Good times ahead: Zanu-PF
He said the party was however saddened by the violence which claimed the lives of six people on Wednesday. The ruling party leadership in Matabeleland North is planning parties around the province to celebrate its victory in the elections.
Out of 13 parliamentary seats in the province, the revolutionary party won eight with the remaining five going to MDC Alliance. Zanu-PF retained Bubi, Umguza, Lupane East, Lupane West, Tsholotsho North, Tsholotsho South, Nkayi North and the party’s candidate Cde Stars Mathe also reclaimed Nkayi South from the MDC-T’s Abednico Bhebhe.
MDC Alliance won in Binga North and Binga South, Hwange Central, Hwange East and also gained Hwange West. Zanu-PF also won a majority of local authority seats around the province.
The party’s provincial chairman Cde Richard Moyo said the victory calls for celebrations before the party starts implementing promises it made during the campaign period.
On Friday Cde Moyo held a roadshow with his campaign team from Umguza up to Victoria Falls where he spoiled them with a boat cruise and game drive for working hard in the run up to the elections.
Cde Moyo said the Friday party was a precursor to a series of celebrations soon to be held in Umguza and in other constituencies where the party won around the province. “This is just a celebration with team Umguza following the good work they did. They have been in the bush since we started campaigning and I thought of thanking them by a boat cruise and game drive as they return home to their families,” he said.
“After this we will start our celebrations around all wards in Umguza. We will also meet all MPs who won in the province before a provincial celebration on a date to be advised.”
Cde Moyo became the party’s candidate for Umguza after Dr Obert Mpofu opted for the Senate.
Dr Mpofu, together with Cdes Thokozile Mathuthu and Alice Dube are the party’s senators for the province while the MDC Alliance will be represented by Mrs Rosemary Nyathi, Mrs Phyllis Ndlovu and Mr Herbert Simatande. In Bulawayo, the provincial secretary for administration Cde Elifas Mashaba said although Zanu-PF won only one seat in the province, the party improved its performance in the just ended harmonised elections compared to 2013 polls.
The party only won Bulawayo South constituency out of 12 constituencies, the rest going to the MDC Alliance.
Since 2000 the party had not won any National Assembly seats in Bulawayo save for six it won during the 2015 by-elections that were boycotted by the MDC.
Cde Mashaba said it was always going to be difficult