By Paul Nyathi|ZANU-PF candidate Obert Mutandinda Simunye romped to victory in the Chegutu Ward 16 by-election on Saturday to reclaim the seat left vacant following the death of Councillor Silas Chikati.

Cllr Simunye garnered 326 votes to beat Norwell Tichaona Muchenje of the MDC-Alliance, who got 89 votes and Patricia Mapfurira of the National Constitutional Assembly, who picked up just 13 votes.

There were three polling stations in the ward at Mbuya Nehanda Clinic, Mukwasha Primary School and Waze Primary School.

At least 430 people turned up to vote, representing 56,2 percent of registered voters.

Zimbabwe Electoral Commission Mashonaland West provincial elections manager Mr Austin Ndlovu said the elections went on smoothly.

“It was a very peaceful election with isolated and unsubstantiated cases of alleged intimidation which were unanimously dealt with during our multi-party liaison committee meetings. The commission delivered a credible election,” he said.

Mr Ndlovu said voting started and ended on time, with only two votes being rejected, representing about 0,5 percent of the total votes cast.

The seat became vacant when the incumbent caouncillor died in a road accident days after being elected in the July 30 harmonised elections.