HARARE – Zanu PF’s Pedzisayi ‘Scott’ Sakupwanya has won uncontested in the Mabvuku-Tafara parliamentary constituency after Justice Never Katiyo on Thursday withdrew an order he earlier issued barring 8 recalled CCC MPs from running in Saturday’s by-elections.

A new order adds Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi to the list of CCC legislators ousted at the instance of a Thursday High Court order which barred recalled opposition lawmakers from seeking a return to parliament under the main opposition’s banner.

In a statement Friday, Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Chief Elections Officer Utoile Silaigwana said the flamboyant gold dealer and ally to President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s luck had been confirmed.

“Since there were only two candidates nominated for the Mabvuku-Tafara National Assembly constituency by-election, Sakupwanya Pedzisayi of Zanu PF is the sole candidate that was duly nominated, hence there will be no by-election in that constituency on 9 December 2023.

“Consequently, the public is hereby notified that Pedzisayi Sakupwanya of Zanu PF has been duly elected member of the National Assembly for Mabvuku-Tafara constituency with effect from 9 December 2023,” Silaigwana said.

Kufahakutizwi was disqualified along with CCC legislators, among them senators, after party politician Sengezo Tshabangu, who styles himself as CCC interim secretary general, had challenged the ousted lawmakers’ decision to file for nomination under CCC.

CCC vowed Friday its disqualified candidates are contesting in Saturday’s poll while insisting their controversial ouster by ZEC basing on the High Court ruling was suspended by a party appeal against their ouster.

Party spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi said the main opposition’s lawyers have served ZEC with a court appeal against the High Court ruling which granted Tshabangu’s application to have the recalled MPs blocked from contesting the polls under CCC.

The self-proclaimed CCC secretary general’s authority to act on behalf of the Nelson Chamisa led opposition has been challenged in the courts.

“Our team has successfully served ZEC through the Chief of Elections Utoile Silaigwana with our court appeal and a letter of all our legitimate candidates to be included on the ballot for tomorrow’s by-election,” Mkwananzi said.

“The statement by Silaigwana that he has removed candidates is therefore nullified by the court appeal.

“Accordingly, by-elections are proceeding as scheduled tomorrow with all our candidates on the ballot paper. We urge all citizens to turn out in their numbers to re-confirm our legitimate candidates by electing them back.”

CCC revealed it was courting SADC in the pursuit for lasting political solutions to the country’s political crisis.