By Peace Mlilo
HEAVYWEIGHTS in the newly-formed Citizens Coalition for Change are set to make their return to parliament after winning Saturday’s by-elections.
CCC claimed the lion’s share in the by-elections, claiming 19 of the 28 National Assembly seats at stake with Zanu-PF taking the other six while Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC-Alliance lost all.
Zanu-PF claimed two seats that had been won by the opposition in the 2018 general election while retaining those it had won, thus increasing their parly majority by two.
Tendai Biti (Harare East), Charlton Hwende (Kuwadzana East), Settlement Chikwinya (Mbizo), Prosper Mutseyami (Dangamvura/Chikanga) and Zwizwai Murisi (Harare Central) eased back into parliament.
Mutseyami had one of the biggest votes, getting 13 132 votes to beat closest rival and Mutare businessman Esau Mupfumi who got 6 304.
CCC indicated that they were participating in the by-elections to test the waters ahead of the 2023 general election.
One of the strategies being to use lessons from the by-election to prepare for the more important general election next year.
Much of their focus will be on the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), which they accuse of incompetence.
Zanu-PF grabbed Epworth where Zalerah Makari got 10 248 votes and Mutasa South where Misheck Mugadza defeated former MP, Regai Tsunga.
With the win in Epworth, Zanu-PF now has two seats in Harare province after Harare South, which they won during the 2018 general election.
There were contests in 122 council wards whose results are being collated.
