LAST weekend’s landslide victory by ZANU PF in the formerly opposition- dominated Harare constituencies not only solidified the revolutionary party’s two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, but also sounded the death knell for the clueless opposition.
ZANU PF now has an unassailable 192 seats out of the 280 seats in the august House.
The by-elections were precipitated by the resignation of two CCC members —Fadzayi Mahere and Rusty Markham — in solidarity with Nelson Chamisa who abandoned the sinking ship in January this year.
However, what was very significant about these by-elections was the attempt by Chamisa to influence the results.
His so-called ‘blue movement’ was very visible in a vain attempt to back the ‘independent’ candidates in both constituencies.
As pointed out by a buoyant ZANU PF National Political Commissar, Cde Mike Bimha, the defeated independent candidates were “funded by opposition forces led by Mr Chamisa”.
A self-imposed ‘independent’ candidate went as far as having Chamisa’s face on his campaign posters, but was rebuked by Chamisa’s close allies.
Little did the poor fellow realise that he was going to split the vote with the preferred other ‘independent’ candidate, who polled a paltry 220 votes.
No doubt, for Chamisa the by-elections were a chance to test the waters. But the walloping he got must have been a real wake-up call for him.
As expected, on the eve of the by-elections, the US could not restrain itself from a last-ditch attempt to undermine ZANU PF.
Recently, the US has produced a damning and unsubstantiated report about abuse of human rights by the ZANU PF Government.
The litany of abuses includes fictitious references to abductions, killings, degrading punishments, interference with the judiciary and denial of freedom of expression , among others.
The list is a demonstration of their fertile imagination.
As if to prepare the opposition for a soft landing, after the expected trouncing in the by-elections, the US dismissed last year’s general elections won by ZANU PF as rigged.
This was meant to prepare the opposition not to accept the people’s choice.
All the same, Chamisa and his surrogates were soundly beaten.
There are those who want to seek solace from the low voter turnout.
But this does not hold water.
After all, voter apathy is a common feature of all elections the world over, but this does not in any way diminish the popularity of the ruling party.
Chamisa’s vain attempts to influence the electoral outcome reflect a leader grasping at straws in the face of adversity.
The electorate’s response, as reflected in the by-election results, speaks volumes about the current mood and sentiments prevailing in Zimbabwean politics.
The people are done with the confused or rather those in it for themselves.
The message from the voters is unequivocal: All they want is stability and continuity, as evidenced by their overwhelming vote for ZANU PF.
This outcome also reflects a lack of confidence in Chamisa’s strategy (or lack of it) and leadership qualities.
The electoral whipping of Chamisa and his surrogates serves as a reality check for the opposition.
The electorate’s verdict underscores the importance of addressing genuine concerns and offering credible alternatives rather than relying solely on rhetoric and external support.
