Mixed fortunes in just ended by elections 

SYDNEY SAIZE IN MUTARE

Wild celebrations this week engulfed Manicaland’s  Chikanga-Dangamvura and Mutasa South constituencies following by-election victories.

Citizens Coalitions for Change (CCC)’s Prosper Mutseyami won the Chikanga- Dangamvura seat beating ZANU-PF central committee member and businessman, Esau Mupfumi.

Mutseyami also defeated Mupfumi in 2018 elections before being recalled from Parliament by  the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T  party. Last Saturday, Mupfumi polled 6 304 votes against Mutseyami’s 13 132 sending wild celebrations.

Following his victory, Mutseyami said he would not sit on his laurels.

“I am grateful to the CCC supporters for having confidence in me and the party led by Advocate Nelson Chamisa, our president. It is with this in mind that we won’t rest on our laurels but continue working for the people to ensure come 2023 we are the people’s government,” Mutseyami said.

He added that CCC would work tirelessly to fulfil the expectations of the electorate.

In Mutasa South constituency, ZANU-PF PF’s Misheck Mugadza wrestled the seat from the recalled CCC candidate Regai Tsunga who held it since 2018.

Celebrations were also the order of the day in the Mutasa South constituency as ZANU-PF supporters sang and danced following Mugadza’s election victory.

Mugadza, a lawyer by profession garnered 5 818 votes against Tsunga’s 5 269.

ZANU-PF member Weston Chiora said the party would ensure they hang on to the seat for good.

“There are no two ways about this, we will not let go off this seat we have gained from the opposition. It is now ours for good, and mark my words you shall see come 2023,” Chiora of Muchena village in Mutasa South constituency said.

In the seven Mutare city council seats contested at the weekend the Citizens Coalition for Change won six  while ZANU-PF snatched one.

The seven council seats fell vacant following a recall by the MDC Alliance late last year and earlier this year.