MDC takes electoral battering in by-elections

MDC takes electoral battering in by-elections

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By Lebo Nkatazo

ZIMBABWE'S main opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) held a ceremony in Harare Sunday to celebrate it's seventh anniversary.

An awkward seven years of existence is just about the only thing the feuding party can celebrate right now.

Away from this choreographed self-congratulatory euphoria that will puzzle many, the opposition party was taking a severe battering in rural Mashonaland where the ruling Zanu PF party won two parliamentary by-elections by wide margins.

The two by-elections in Chikomba and Rushinga were seen as a test of the opposition party's success in penetrating Zanu PF's rural strongholds but in the end, they emphasised that Zanu PF's grip on the rural electorate is unyielding and undisturbed.

The more than 88 percent of the valid vote polled by Zanu PF keeps Rushinga as the party’s safest seat, crowed Monday’s edition of the state-controlled Herald newspaper.

Zanu PF candidate Lazarus Dokora won 13 642 votes while Kudakwashe Chideya of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) took 1 801 votes.

In Chikomba, which is also a bastion of Mugabe’s party, Zanu PF’s Steven Chiurayi won 11,247 votes while the MDC’s Amos Jiri polled only 4 243.

The opposition party -- split into two by internal feuding last October -- has been threatening since March to hold mass protests against Mugabe’s government over deteriorating economic conditions here, but the demonstrations have yet to materialise.

Meanwhile living conditions continue to worsen for the majority of Zimbabweans. Bread, flour and the staple maize meal are in short supply, as are medical drugs, fuel and foreign currency. Prices go up on a near-daily basis due to inflation of more than 1 204 percent. Staff Reporter/Sapa-dpa.
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