Zanu PF candidate Freedom Murechu wins Nkulumane by-election
… ending a long period of opposition dominance in the constituency…_
Zanu PF has reclaimed the Nkulumane parliamentary seat in Bulawayo for the first time in more than two decades, ending a long period of opposition dominance in the constituency.
Since the early 2000s, urban seats such as Nkulumane have largely been held by opposition parties, beginning with the MDC and later the MDC-T, MDC Alliance and most recently the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
That trend was broken on Saturday, 20 December 2025, when Zanu PF candidate Freedom Murechu won the by-election.
The seat became vacant following the death of CCC legislator Desire Moyo. Official results announced by Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) elections officer Sithembiso Khuphe showed that Murechu beat eight other candidates to secure the seat.
Murechu polled 3,416 votes, well ahead of independent candidate Rodney Jele, who finished second with 745 votes.
Independent Esther Excellia Zitha, the widow of the late MP, came third with 325 votes, while CCC’s Mothusi “Madlela Skhobokobo” Ndlovu received 320.
Other candidates trailed far behind, with independent Mbuso Fuzwayo securing 121 votes, Vivian Siziba of ZAPU 110, Alson Moyo of the EFF 65, Ethel Sibanda of the MDC-T 23, and Nompilo Ncube Malaba of ZANC 18.
Voter turnout was a low 22.7 per cent, a factor analysts say may have worked in Zanu PF’s favour, as opposition supporters have historically shown little enthusiasm for by-elections.
The result also comes amid growing voter apathy among opposition supporters following the controversial recall of MPs and councillors by Sengezo Tshabangu after the 2023 general elections — a process that enabled Zanu PF to gain additional seats and secure a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly. *_-Pindula_*
