Zimbabweans have responded to ZANU PF’s Bulawayo by-election victory. Chidwelll Mujuru won the Luveve Ward 28 (commonly known as Cowdray Park) by-election. He defeated 17 other contestants including two MDC Alliance candidates.
The MDC led by Nelson Chamisa fielded Collet Ndhlovu and Nomagugu Mloyi after failing to reach a consensus on who to represent the part. ZESN (2019) reports that ZANU PF decided to field Mujuru who lost the 2018 elections.
The MDC Alliance held primary elections which were won by a former Councilor, Collet Ndhlovu.
The disputed outcome of the primary elections resulted in more than one candidate from MDC Alliance filing their nomination papers with the Nomination Court. Collet Ndhlovu and Nomagugu Mloyi represented the party in the by-elections.
Below are some of the notable comments from Zimbabweans.
For Prof Jonathan Moyo, the elections were:
A RUDE WAKE UP CALL.
It means the MDC-ALLIANCE has disconnected with Bulawayo voters. Time was when for every three registered voters in Bulawayo, two were MDC. The writing is on the wall: if the MDC-ALLIANCE leadership does not introspect on this & reconnect with Bulawayo voters, trouble lies ahead!
For Linda Masarira, an MDC-T member,
It is evident that people are not voting for issues. They seem to be comfortable voting with what looks more likely to be aligned to national politics. I still maintain that people seem to afraid of being left out. Bulawayo Ward 28 results are not results of informed voters…
For some, results are surprising considering that In 2018 MDC Alliance candidate got 8, 514 compared to 1450 received by the 2 byelection candidates. ZANU PF received 3,632 in 2018 compared to 1899 in the byelection.
Matigari also erred his views in his twitter post below.
Kuita kurakashwa in Cowdray Park🤣🤣
1. Kidwell Mujuru(Zanu PF) 1899
2. Nomagugu Mloyi(MDC-A) 1229
3. Collet Ndlovu(MDC-A) 221We need REFORMS in MDC now There is no leadership!@garweh2011 @Auzqn @misscailah @PatsonDzamara @DrNkuSibanda @nelsonchamisa @daddyhope @finley_198 pic.twitter.com/DgT9ZcZIkX
— mmatigari (@matigary) March 31, 2019
David Coltart had his view via his twitter handle.
This is correct. As flawed as our electoral system is this loss can not be blamed on rigging. Until everyone in the #MDC rekindles the original vision of the party established on 11/9/99 we will allow ZANUPF to rule in places where they are actually detested by the majority. https://t.co/GPYe4NrjJr
— David Coltart (@DavidColtart) March 31, 2019
Nathan also gave a comment.
MDC A had two candidates. That clearly shows lack of leadership at the top. How and why do they allow such confusion?
— Nathan (@nathanmahachi) March 31, 2019
Then Kuda Musasiwa said:
Can anyone explain to me why Zanu PF keeps winning all these By-election. Opposition now have all Election Agents there, a superstar President in Chamisa, and 90% of online support. 🤔
— K (@begottensun) March 31, 2019
Nqobile Bhebhe could not be left behind.
Opposition (parties) are not passive by-standers. They need to develop their own narrative, connect with voters, unify their movements & adopt best practices from the playbook for democrats #DemocracyWorks (page 200)
— Nqobile (@nqobilebhebhe) March 31, 2019
Zenzele had a lot to say.
The Cowdry Park by election is not about ZANUPF, it more do to with the MDC Alliance congress .#Asakhe
— Zenzele (@zenzele) March 31, 2019
Mwonzora and company's plan was to Block Nomagugu coz they said she was aligned to Welshman .The MP for Luveve belong to Welshman's MDC so they wanted to dilute Welsh's influence .
— Zenzele (@zenzele) March 31, 2019
Collect wanted to contest the Byo Province chair under the Mwonzora faction at Congress. Mwonzora is the SG and he "controls" party strictures.He wanted to manipulate that to his advantage
— Zenzele (@zenzele) March 31, 2019
Kuda responded to Zenzele’s post.
The problem though is bigger than this rationalism.mdc need a to create interest amongst Zimbabweans to make them participate in the party's activities. Most of the votes for the opposition are protest votes.
— Kuda….. (@kudatasimba) March 31, 2019
Mukundu also gave his views.
The loss of Cowdry park council seat by MDC to Zanu PF is a wake up call if anyone is listening. Power is not a birthright but earned. And if you fight STUPIDLY you surely DIE.
— Rashweat Mukundu (@rashweatm) April 1, 2019
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