BULAWAYO – President Emmerson Mnangagwa has promulgated August 3 as the date for the Lupane East by-election.
The seat fell vacant following the death of Zanu PF’s Sithembile Gumbo on April 15.
The proclamation was published in the government gazette on Friday.
Gumbo, who was also the Zanu PF women’s league secretary in Matabeleland North, won a hotly contested election in July last year, beating 11 other candidates.
She polled 7,875 votes, beating closest challenger Dalumuzi Khumalo of the MDC Alliance who polled 5,791 votes.
In the crowded field, Given Ncube of the MDC-T polled 759 votes; Majoni Bhebhe, RPZ, 272 votes; Mlungisi Khumalo, MRP, 269 votes; Cletus Khumalo, ZRDP, 215 votes; Bongani Tshabalala, ZDU, 205 votes; Bright Mvanya, PRC, 204 votes; Gezekile Mkhwebu, ZAPU, 161 votes; Morgan Ndlovu, ZIPP, 104 votes; Njabulo Sibanda, NPF, 69 votes and Bhekihlalo Nelson Mkandla, NAP, 61 votes.
The combined losing votes were 8,110, more than Gumbo’s tally.
Zanu PF’s provincial party in Matabeleland North meets this weekend to decide on the candidate to field, amid reports that Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube is being considered.
Ncube was brought in as one of the technocrats in Mnangagwa’s Cabinet, and a run for MP would confirm his move into party politics.
The main opposition MDC is also set to decide on a candidate. The party has held primary elections where there is more than one candidate.
