By Own Correspondent- MDC Matabeleland North provincial chairperson Prince Dubeko Sibanda says the opposition party is not reading much into its poor performance in local government by-elections in Tsholotsho, saying it was a good start to its strategy to penetrate rural areas.

Sibanda said MDC fielded a candidate for the first time in Ward 20, which consists of mainly resettled villagers who are predominantly Zanu-PF supporters.

“There are a number of factors that contributed to our loss,” he said.

“For starters in Ward 20, Tsholotsho South, it was the first time ever that we fielded a candidate in the ward against Zanu-PF.

“Zanu-PF won uncontested previously.

“That we got 21 votes in a purely resettlement area for me is a good start.

“We all know that Zanu-PF threatens to take away the land from the people if they do not vote it.

“In Ward 16 despite Zanu-PF’s vote-buying tactics, we increased our vote tally from what we got in 2018.

“Even in Lupane East constituency we increased our vote tally.”

The two by-elections in Tsholotsho were held on November 9 and were won by Tshoni Mnkandla (Ward 20) and Isaac Moyo (Ward 16), both from Zanu-PF.

In August, Zanu-PF’s Mbongeni Dube won the Lupane East constituency by-election where he beat MDC’s Dalumuzi Khumalo.

Zanu-PF also retained Ward 22 in Bubi and Nkayi’s Ward 23.

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