BUSINESS REPORTER
The Nelson Chamisa-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) emerged victorious in the Saturday by elections, winning 19 out of the 28 parliamentary seats and more than half of the council seats up for grabs as it makes a bold statement ahead of next year’s harmonised elections.
CCC won 75 out of the 122 wards.
The governing Zanu PF retained its seven parliamentary seats that it won in 2018 and also picked two that were won by the MDC Alliance in the 2018 polls—Epworth and Mutasa South—and number of urban wards.
The Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance did not win a single seat or ward despite triggering the by elections after recalling MPs and councillors.
Saturday’s polls were seen as a dry run for 2023 elections.
For CCC, the victory was crucial in that shows the party has the support despite a gruelling campaign in which it was barred from holding rallies in Marondera and Binga.
In addition, the victory comes in handy as the party will get a share of funding from the government under the Political Parties Finance Act.
Zanu PF made inroads into opposition strongholds, which analysts attribute to strong mobilisation and policies that resonate with the people.
Mwonzora had always claimed his MDC Alliance has support telling reporters that elections would be the only yardstick.
The report card is out.
His party is now projected to lose more council seats after the recent recall of 16 councillors.
