Zanu-PF has emphasised its dominance in Matabeleland South by retaining the Beitbridge East Ward 15 and Matobo North Ward 25 rural district council seats in a by election held over the weekend.

Beitbridge East Ward 15 candidate for Zanu-PF, Rabson Mbedzi garnered 638 votes against MDC candidate Victor Moyo who had 54 votes.

Opposition MDC maintained its position in Chitungwiza narrowly winning the Ward 24 council by election. Zanu-PF candidate for Chitungwiza Mercy Guvamombe lost to the MDC’s Yotam Chagwada by 66 votes.

Matobo North Ward 25 Zanu-PF candidate, Sibonginkosi Dube garnered 483 votes against MDC’s Elkanah Sibanda’s 121 votes.

Chagwada garnered 1 059 votes against ClGuvamombe’s 993 votes. MDC-T candidate Jane Makovere and NCA candidate Anderson Tsakeni garnered 29 and three votes respectively.

In an interview with state media on Sunday, ZANU PF provincial chair for Matabeleland South province Rabelani Choeni said the party was happy with the results.

“We are very happy that we managed to retain the two rural district council seats and the margins by which our candidates won signify the strength of the party in the province,” said Choeni.