Zimbabwe’s political landscape is witnessing a worrying trend as opposition parties fail to field candidates in numerous by-elections across the country. This comes amid growing concerns about the state of democratic forces challenging the ruling Zanu-PF party in Parliament and local councils.
Zanu-PF has recently celebrated victories in local authority by-elections held in Epworth ward 6 and Chinhoyi ward 14. In Epworth ward 6, Zanu-PF candidate Civilised Bushe secured a resounding win with 3,022 votes. MDC-T’s Alice Nyahunzvi only managed 120 votes, while independent candidate Peter Nyapetwa received a mere 23 votes. Similarly, in ward 14 of Chinhoyi, Zanu-PF’s Solomon Bizwork won with 599 votes, with independent candidate Hope Zimbiri trailing behind with 194 votes.
The ruling party also achieved a clean sweep in six by-elections held in Chikomba, Chiredzi, Gutu, Mazowe, and Marondera rural district councils. In Gutu RDC wards 10 and 14, and Mazowe RDC ward 19, Zanu-PF candidates ran unopposed as opposition parties failed to nominate any challengers. In Chikomba RDC ward 10, Zanu-PF’s Tafadzwa Mukandi won with 447 votes against independent candidate Joseph Macheke’s 290. Meanwhile, in Chiredzi RDC ward 4, Zanu-PF candidate Austin Phikelele secured 1,577 votes, dwarfing independent candidate Mucheke’s 265.
The opposition parties, including the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), and others, have faced numerous obstacles, allowing Zanu-PF to consolidate its power. Voter apathy continues to plague these by-elections, further contributing to the ruling party’s dominance.
Speaking to NewsDay, MDC spokesperson Chengetai Guta criticised the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec)’s electoral operations, accusing them of fuelling voter apathy. Guta estimates that only 25% of registered voters participated in the by-elections. “We see serious State interference and Zec in its operations has not demonstrated fairness in being the arbiter for such important democratic processes,” Guta stated. “As you’d recall, we had 87 candidates from the MDC who were struck off the election unfairly. And on the other hand, you had candidates from CCC who went after nomination.”
Guta emphasised the importance of Zec’s independence, stating, “Zec remains our greatest undoing as a nation. The reason being, it was, according to the Constitution, supposed to be an independent commission, independent from State interference.” Zec has consistently denied any such interference.
The MDC spokesperson also highlighted the concerning levels of voter apathy in local elections. “Look, only about 25% of registered voters participated in the election, of course. Zanu-PF had a big margin. But this is attributed to the evident vote buying.”
Mbofana called for a restructuring of the opposition political space, stating, “But we now need a leader to stand up and be counted. But as I have said, leaders do not emerge everyday. Yes, we already have some people who come up and say we are opposition, but they do not have the charisma, you know. So what we need now, the future, what the future needs is someone who, a leader who emerges and fills the gap that has been abandoned by the likes of Chamisa.”
Chamisa resigned from the CCC last year, citing infiltration as the reason.
Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu echoed similar concerns, pointing out that voter apathy diminished political competition in the by-elections, leading to Zanu-PF’s dominance. “The results of by-elections, there’s really no competition. If you look at the numbers that are voting, that clearly tells you that there’s significant voter apathy, there’s a disinterest by the majority of people of Zimbabwe in these by-elections. There is nothing that political parties, be it in the opposition or Zanu-PF itself, are promising,” Mukundu explained.
Mukundu believes the opposition still has a future, but it depends on their own actions. “Zanu-PF’s dominance, well, I think there’s still a future for the opposition, but a future for the opposition is what they make themselves. It cannot be given on a silver platter by Zanu-PF. Zanu-PF has made so many mistakes in terms of managing the economy, in terms of its abuses, in terms of its violations of the Constitution, in terms of its lack of accountability on governance issues, be it issues around corruption, be it issues around policymaking.”
Zanu-PF has faced accusations of employing various strategies to solidify its grip on power, including constitutional modifications, manipulation of State institutions, and stifling of opposition voices. The party denies these charges. Zimbabwe’s economic difficulties and a contentious political environment, marked by allegations of electoral fraud and human rights violations, have further complicated the situation.
In contrast, Nqobizitha Mlilo, spokesperson for Tshabangu, maintains that opposition politics is still alive in Zimbabwe. “There is no evidence to suggest that Zimbabwe is moving towards a one-party State. In fact, the exact opposite is true. Zimbabwe is a multiparty State,” Mlilo stated. “There are many political parties and organisations operating and being formed. If parties have lost byelections, by definition, that is not one party State.”
Mlilo added that the CCC is resolving its internal issues. “Those have now been resolved and sufficiently attended to. We should be able to contest as and when, or if there will be subsequent by-elections.” He also suggested a need to rethink the entire electoral system. “We have said electionism and electoralism is not a solution to our selfevident national problems. Elections only tend to polarise the electorate without discernible national benefit,” Mlilo explained. “We need to rethink the entire electoral system. Zec, as a necessary party to the democratic process, is one of the areas to relook and remodel. We should have a moratorium on elections.”
The failure of opposition parties to effectively challenge Zanu-PF in these by-elections raises serious questions about the future of democracy in Zimbabwe. With concerns over voter apathy, electoral fairness, and the strength of opposition forces, the country faces a critical juncture in its political trajectory. Whether the opposition can regroup and present a credible challenge to the ruling party remains to be seen.
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