Lupane East By-election Set For August 3

President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday issued a proclamation in the Government Gazette on the date for the Lupane East by-election following the death of Sithembiso Gumbo in April.

The by-election shall be held on August 3, according to the proclamation. It reads:

Whereas the Speaker of Parliament has notified me in writing of a vacancy which has arisen by reason of the death of honourable Sithembile Gumbo on 5th April 2019, who was elected member of the National Assembly for Lupane Constituency.

Now therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the President as aforesaid, I do by this proclamation- (a) order new elections for the constituency of Lupane East; and (b) fix Wednesday the 14th June, 2019, as the date on which the nomination court shall sit, commencing at 10 o’clock in the morning, at the magistrates court Western Commonage for the purpose of receiving nomination for election as member of the National Assembly for the constituency for Lupane East and (c) fix Saturday the 3rd August, 2019, as the day which poll shall be taken if a poll becomes necessary in terms of section 46 (17) (c) of the Electoral Act (Chapter 2:13).

Gumbo was elected MP for Lupane East in the 2018 general election on a ZANU PF ticket.

She died on April 5 at United Bulawayo Hospitals following injuries sustained a car crash and was buried at her rural home in Lupane.

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