2023–2024 Zimbabwean by-elections

2023/2024 by-elections in Zimbabwe

2023 Zimbabwean by-elections

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| ← 2023 | 11 November 2023 (2023-11-11)
9 December 2023 (2023-12-09) | 2028 →

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10 out of the 280 seats in the National Assembly[a]
|   | Majority party  | Minority party  | Third party

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|  |  |
Leader  | Emmerson Mnangagwa | Nelson Chamisa |
Party  | ZANU–PF | CCC | ZAPU
Last election  | 176 seats, 56.11%  | 103 seats, 41.58%  | 0 seats, 0%
Seats after  | 184 seats  | 78 seats  | 0 seats
Seat change  | 8  | 25  |

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| Fourth party  | Fifth party
|  |
Leader  | Lovemore Madhuku | Harry Peter Wilson
Party  | NCA | DOP
Last election  | 0 seats, 0%  | 0 seats, 0%
Seats after  | 0 seats  | 0 seats
Seat change  |  |

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2024 Zimbabwean by-elections

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| ← 2023 | 3 February 2024 (2024-02-03)
27 April 2024 (2024-04-27) | 2028 →

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8 out of the 280 seats in the National Assembly [a]
|   | Majority party  | Minority party  | Third party

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|  |  |
Leader  | Emmerson Mnangagwa | Unknown[b] |
Party  | ZANU–PF | CCC | ZAPU
Last election  | 184 seats  | 78 seats  | 0 seats
Seats after  | 192 seats  | 78 seats  | 0 seats
Seat change  | 8  |  |

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| Fourth party  | Fifth party
|  |
Party  | NCA | DOP
Last election  | 0 seats  | 0 seats
Seats after  | 0 seats  | 0 seats
Seat change  |  |

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By-elections were held in Zimbabwe on 11 November 2023, on 9 December 2023, on 3 February 2024 and on 27 April 2024 to fill vacancies in the National Assembly and in local government.[1][2] The by-elections were triggered by Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the interim Secretary-General of the Citizens Coalition for Change, when he recalled nine constituency legislators, six proportional representative women’s quota and senators and seventeen councilors mainly from Bulawayo, one of the party's strongholds.[3][4][5][6]

## Background

[edit]

### Gutu West Constituency

[edit]

Due to the death of independent candidate Christopher Mutonhori before the general election on 23 August 2023, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission cancelled the parliamentary election in the Gutu West constituency in terms of Section 50 of the Electoral Act, which stipulates that should a candidate die before the election, the nominations are declared null and void.[7][8] After the general elections, president Emmerson Mnangagwa proclaimed on 22 September 2023 that the by-election would be held on 11 November 2023.[9]

### Recall of CCC members

[edit]

On 3 October 2023, Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the interim Secretary-General of the Citizens Coalition for Change, recalled 15 members of the National Assembly (9 constituency MPs, 5 women's quota MPs and 1 youth quota MP), 9 senators and 17 councilors mainly from Bulawayo.[10][11][12] The CCC disputed Tshabangu's authority and the CCC president Nelson Chamisa wrote to National Assembly speaker Jacob Mudenda to disregard Tshabangu's letter.[13]

In spite of Chamisa's protests, Mudenda wrote to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission declaring the seats vacant, while the Local Government minister Winston Chitando notified the city councils about the vacant council seats.[14][15] On 20 October 2023, president Mnangagwa proclaimed 9 December 2023 as the date for the by-elections.[16] The Harare High Court rejected the expelled CCC MPs' appeal to be reinstated on 4 November 2023.[17] On 7 November 2023, the Nomination Court sat to receive papers from candidates for the by-elections.[18]

The CCC had been hit hard by double candidacy during the August general election, as Sengezo Tshabangu’s camp fielded its own set of candidates using the same party name.[19][20]

On 7 November 2023, a further letter was sent to the Speaker of Parliament and the President of the Senate by Tshabangu. In this letter, he recalled a further six constituency MPs and 6 Women's Quota MPs, as well as five Senators.[21] Their seats were declared vacant by the Speaker and President respectively on 14 November 2023. On the same day, the High Court ruled that any further recalls could not be acted upon by Parliament until legal challenges had completed. The Speaker, however, determined that the seats had been vacated when the letter was written - i.e. 7 November - and so remained vacant in spite of the Court order on 14 November. [22] President Mnangagwa declared the date for the by-elections of these six constituencies to be 3 February 2024.

### Political violence

[edit]

In November 2023, Citizens Coalition for Change activist Tapfumaneyi Masaya was kidnapped and murdered while campaigning.[23] This was just a fortnight after CCC lawmaker Takudzwa Ngadziore was reportedly abducted and tortured.[23]

### High Court challenges

[edit]

At the Nomination Court proceedings, the recalled MPs submitted an application to stand in the by-elections as CCC candidates. While their applications were accepted, meaning that in some constituencies there would be two CCC candidates competing against each other, Tshabangu submitted an application to the High Court to bar the recalled MPs from standing as CCC candidates. On 7 December, just two days before the by-election, the High Court issued an order which barred the recalled MPs from standing as candidates, and further stated that their names should not appear on ballot papers.[24]

### Chamisa resignation

[edit]

Chamisa withdrew from CCC ahead of by-election on 3rd of February 2024.[25] Fadzayi Mahere and other withdrew from Parliament in solidarity with Nelson Chamisa, prompting a by-election in their respective constituencies.

## Results

[edit]

### 11 November 2023

[edit]

Constituency  | Province  | Reason for vacancy  | Results

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Gutu West | Masvingo | Death of competing candidate during August general election  | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| John Paradza| ZANU-PF| 12,147| 79.30| +1.3
| Martin Sebastine Mudzingwa| Independent| 1,775| 11.59| New
| Ephraem Morudu| CCC| 1,258| 8.21| New
| Robson Kurwa| NCA| 138| 0.90| New
Total| 15,318| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 15,318| 99.15| +1.22
Invalid/blank votes| 132| 0.85| -1.22
Total votes| 15,450| 100.00| –
Registered voters/turnout| | 60.2| -24.8
Majority| 10,372| 67.77| +6.30
| ZANU-PF hold

### 9 December 2023

[edit]

Constituency  | Province  | Reason for vacancy  | Results

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Beitbridge West | Matebeleland South | Recall of incumbent legislator Morgan Ncube |  | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Thusani Ndou| ZANU-PF| 4,929| 88.81| +42.62
| Blessing Brendan Dube| Independent| 366| 6.59| New
| Thoriso Moyo| ZAPU| 255| 4.59| New
|  ~~Morgan Ncube~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
|  ~~Blessing Choeni~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Withdrew
Total| 5,550| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 5,550| 94.76|
Invalid/blank votes| 307| 5.24|
Total votes| 5,857| 100.00|
Majority| 4,563| 82.22| +81.62
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Binga North | Matebeleland North | Recall of incumbent legislator Prince Dubeko Sibanda | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Chineke Muchimba| ZANU-PF| 9,862| 90.77| +33.42
| Judith Sibanda| CCC| 1,003| 9.23| -47.28
|  ~~Prince Dubeko Sibanda~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 10,865| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 10,865| 93.35|
Invalid/blank votes| 774| 6.65|
Total votes| 11,639| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 34,132| 34.10|
Majority| 8,859| 81.54| +66.02
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Bulawayo South | Bulawayo | Recall of incumbent legislator Nicola Jane Watson | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Rajeshkumari Modi| ZANU-PF| 1,608| 58.73| +32.64
| James Sithole| CCC| 1,130| 41.27| -31.53
|  ~~Nicola Jane Watson~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 2,738| 100.00| –
Majority| 478| 17.46| -29.25
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Cowdray Park | Bulawayo | Recall of incumbent legislator Pashor Raphael Sibanda | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Aurther Mujeyi| ZANU-PF| 1,765| 53.08| +9.44
| Vusumuzi Chirwa| CCC| 1,560| 46.92| -9.44
|  ~~Pashor Raphael Sibanda~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 3,325| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 3,325| 85.32|
Invalid/blank votes| 572| 14.68|
Total votes| 3,897| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 27,638| 14.10|
Majority| 205| 6.17| -6.55
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Lobengula-Magwegwe | Bulawayo | Recall of incumbent legislator Ereck Gono | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Tendayi Chitura Nyathi| CCC| 1,648| 55.56| -15.14
| Menziwa Dube| ZANU-PF| 1,318| 44.44| +27.66
|  ~~Ereck Gono~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 2,966| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 2,966| 86.65|
Invalid/blank votes| 457| 13.35|
Total votes| 3,423| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 25,544| 13.40|
Majority| 330| 11.12| -42.81
| CCC hold
Lupane East | Matebeleland South | Recall of incumbent legislator Bright Vanya Moyo | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Phathisiwe Machangu| ZANU-PF| 6,863| 79.68| +34.35
| David Nyathi| CCC| 1,750| 20.32| -26.77
|  ~~Bright Vanya Moyo~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 8,613| 100.00| –
Majority| 5,113| 59.36| +57.65
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Mabvuku-Tafara | Harare | Recall of incumbent legislator Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi |  2023 Mabvuku-Tafara by-election  | Party  | Candidate  | Votes  | %  | ±%

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| ZANU–PF  | Pedzai Sakupwanya  | Unopposed
Total votes  | —  | 100.0
| ZANU–PF gain from CCC
Mpopoma-Mzilikazi | Bulawayo | Recall of incumbent legislator Desmond Makaza | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Charles Moyo| CCC| 1,632| 47.58| -26.91
| Dzingai Kamamba| ZANU-PF| 1,097| 31.98| +15.21
| Pardon Tapfumaneyi| Independent| 654| 19.07| +15.14
| Blessings Sibanda| DOP| 47| 1.37| +1
|  ~~Desmond Makaza~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 3,430| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 3,430| 86.86|
Invalid/blank votes| 519| 13.14|
Total votes| 3,949| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| | –|
Majority| 535| 15.6| -42.12
| CCC hold

Nketa | Bulawayo | Recall of incumbent legislator Obert Manduna | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Albert Tawanda Mavunga| ZANU-PF| 1,550| 49.90| +32.32
| Ambrose Sibindi| CCC| 1,439| 46.33| -26.61
| Luckmore Gwetu| DOP| 117| 3.77| New
|  ~~Obert Manduna~~|  ~~CCC~~|  0| 0.00| Barred
Total| 3,106| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 3,106| 90.55|
Invalid/blank votes| 324| 9.45|
Total votes| 3,430| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 24,020| 14.28|
Majority| 111| 3.57| -51.79
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC

### 3 February 2024

[edit]

Constituency  | Province  | Reason for vacancy  | Results

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Seke | Mashonaland East | Recall of incumbent legislator Willard Tapfumanei Madzimbamuto | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Munyaradzi Tobias Kashambe| ZANU-PF| 8,586| 73.66| +25.46
| Willard Tapfumanei Madzimbamuto| Independent| 2,401| 20.60| New
| Everisto Chisi| CCC| 669| 5.74| -45.16
Total| 11,656| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 11,656| 97.38|
Invalid/blank votes| 313| 2.62|
Total votes| 11,969| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 39,659| 30.18|
Majority| 6,185| 53.06| +50.32
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Goromonzi South | Mashonaland East | Recall of incumbent legislator Stephen Chagwiza  | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Washington Zhanda| ZANU-PF| 6,865| 86.55| +38.92
| Reuben Chikudo| CCC| 1,067| 13.45| 37.65
Total| 7,932| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 7,932| 95.55|
Invalid/blank votes| 369| 4.45|
Total votes| 8,301| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 45,862| 18.10|
Majority| 5,798| 73.1| +22
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Pelandaba–Tshabalala | Bulawayo | Recall of incumbent legislator Gift Siziba | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Joseph Tshuma| ZANU-PF| 1,845| 74.85| +53.22
| Moreblessing Tembo| CCC| 464| 18.82| -28.78
| Yona Abraham Nkomo| DOP| 156| 6.33| +5.10
Total| 2,465| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 2,465| 92.08|
Invalid/blank votes| 212| 7.92|
Total votes| 2,677| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 22,822| 11.73|
Majority| 1,381| 56.02| +8.42
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Chegutu West | Mashonaland West | Recall of incumbent legislator Admore Chivero | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Shakemore Wellington Timburwa| ZANU-PF| 6,697| 67.03| +24.39
| Admore Chivero| Independent| 2,626| 26.28| New
| Gift Machoka Koniana| CCC| 668| 6.69| -45.89
Total| 9,991| 100.00| –
Majority| 4,071| 40.75| +30.82
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Zvimba East | Mashonaland West | Recall of incumbent legislator Oliver Mutasa | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Kudakwashe Mananzva| ZANU-PF| 10,359| 78.44| +28.75
| Oliver Mutasa| Independent| 1,992| 15.08| New
| Agrippa Alberito| CCC| 855| 6.47| -43.84
Total| 13,206| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 13,206| 98.05|
Invalid/blank votes| 262| 1.95|
Total votes| 13,468| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 42,620| 31.6|
Majority| 8,367| 63.36| +62.74
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Mkoba North | Midlands Province | Recall of incumbent legislator Amos Chibaya | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Edgar Ncube| ZANU-PF| 2,415| 59.22| +31.52
| Patrick Tayiya| DOP| 1,663| 40.78| New
Total| 4,078| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 4,078| 95.66|
Invalid/blank votes| 185| 4.34|
Total votes| 4,263| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 30,320| 14.06|
Majority| 752| 18.44| -24.75
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC

### 27 April 2024

[edit]

Constituency  | Province  | Reason for vacancy  | Results

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Harare East | Harare | Resignation of incumbent legislator Rusty Markham | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| Kiven Mutimbanyoka| ZANU-PF| 3,533| 64.15| +33.02
| Ropafadzo Cynthia Cheza| Independent| 1,974| 35.85| New
Total| 5,507| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 5,507| 99.08|
Invalid/blank votes| 51| 0.92|
Total votes| 5,558| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 36,566| 15.20|
Majority| 1,559| 35.68| +2.92
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC
Mount Pleasant | Harare | Resignation of incumbent legislator Fadzayi Mahere | | Candidate| Party| Votes| %| +/–

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| George Mashavave| ZANU-PF| 3,205| 73.34| +43.57
| Nason Mamuse| Independent| 945| 21.62| New
| Brian Ticky| Independent| 220| 5.03| New
Total| 4,370| 100.00| –
Valid votes| 4,370| 95.50|
Invalid/blank votes| 206| 4.50|
Total votes| 4,576| 100.00|
Registered voters/turnout| 39,448| 11.60|
Majority| 2,260| 51.72| +32.32
| ZANU-PF gain from CCC

## References

[edit]

1. ^ TrtAfrica. "Zimbabwe sets by-election date after MPs' ouster - TRT Afrika". Zimbabwe sets by-election date after MPs' ouster. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
2. ^ "Zimbabwe court rejects opposition MPs appeal for lost seats - eNCA". www.enca.com. 2023-11-04. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
3. ^ "CCC Approaches Courts To Reverse MP Recalls". www.thezimbabwean.co. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
4. ^ "Zimbabwe's Opposition CCC Recalls Matabeleland MPs". www.voaafrica.com. Retrieved 2023-11-04.
5. ^ Mhuruyengwe, Ngoni (2023-10-19). "Factsheet: What about the recall of Chamisa's CCC MPs?". ZimFact. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
6. ^ Mangwaya, Harriet Chikandiwa and Mirriam. "Chaos as CCC MPs defy Parly recall". NewsDay. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
7. ^ "ZEC stops Gutu West election after death of retired soldier candidate – Nehanda Radio". nehandaradio.com. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
8. ^ Anna (2023-06-30). "Independent Gutu West MP candidate Christopher Mutonhori has died". Gambakwe Media. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
9. ^ "Gutu West by-election date set". The Herald. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
10. ^ "Zimbabwe: Opposition CCC's woes mount as 15 MPs recalled". APAnews - African Press Agency. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
11. ^ "Tshabangu threatens to recall more CCC MPs". Community Podium News. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
12. ^ Mangwaya, Harriet Chikandiwa and Mirriam. "Chaos as CCC MPs defy Parly recall". NewsDay. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
13. ^ "Zimbabwe MPs lose seats because of fake letter". BBC News. 2023-10-10. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
14. ^ "CCC in turmoil as Parliament acknowledges recalls by Secretary-General, notifies ZEC of 15 vacancies". The Zimbabwe Mail. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
15. ^ Dube, Vusumuzi (2023-10-19). "Minister Chitando notifies BCC of CCC recalls…as Councillors meet to elect acting deputy mayor". The Sunday News. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
16. ^ Ndebele, Lenin. "December by-elections in Zimbabwe as the main opposition disappears". News24. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
17. ^ "Zimbabwe High Court rejects opposition MPs' bid for reinstatement ahead of by-elections-Xinhua". english.news.cn. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
18. ^ "Nomination Court sits today". The Herald. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
19. ^ Chronicle Zimbabwe (2023-11-08). "CCC splits as double candidates situation worsens". Chronicles Zimbabwe. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
20. ^ ZimSitRep_M (2023-11-07). "CCC's internal divisions lead to double candidacies in by-elections". Zimbabwe Situation. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
21. ^ Machivenyika, Farirai (2023-11-14). "CCC recalls 13 more MPs, 5 Senators". The Herald. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
22. ^ Machivenyika, Farirai (2023-11-15). "CCC recalls stand". The Herald. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
23. ^ a b "Abducted Zimbabwe opposition activist Tapfumaneyi Masaya found dead". The Guardian. 2023-11-14. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2023-11-15.
24. ^ "Court bars 22 recalled CCC legislators from polls". The Herald. 2023-12-08. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
25. ^ "Zimbabwe opposition leader quits 'contaminated' party". BBC News. 2024-01-25. Retrieved 2024-01-26.

1. ^ a b Not all seats in the Zimbabwean Parliament are elected by popular vote. A selection is selected by Proportional Representation, and as such the number of seats after a by-election may be fewer than those being competed, where representatives have been recalled/died.
2. ^ On 25 January 2024, Nelson Chamisa announced he was resigning from the CCC with immediate effect. It was not clear on the day of the by-election who the leader of the CCC was.

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