By Staff Reporter
OUSTED Zanu PF MP for Kwekwe Central, Masango “Blackman” Matambanadzo bounced back to parliament after posting a surprise victory over MDC Alliance candidate Blessing Chebundo in a closely fought contest.
Matambanadza, who represented the National Patriotic Front (NPF) comprising sacked Zanu PF politicians, was declared winner of the seat by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Tuesday night.
The controversial politician garnered 7 578 votes against his closest challenger Chebundo who got 7 127.
Zanu PF’s Kandros Mugabe managed 4 571 votes.
There were four other candidates who included Maupa Josiniah, an independent who got 978 votes.
Matambanadzo’s win could turn out to be one of the biggest surprises of the Monday election as few people gave members of the NPF any chance in an election which has seen Zanu PF and MDC Alliance share the seats among themselves.
The legislator designate left many in stitches when he addressed a rally June this year while sitting on the shoulders of his bodyguard for nearly 30 minutes.
His triumph is also significant as the seat was once occupied by Zanu PF and state President Emmerson Mnangagwa before the latter was forced to abandon the place after twice losing to Chebundo 2000 and 2005.
But Matambanadzo managed to wrestle the seat from Chebundo.
Mnangagwa is an enemy among Zanu PF’s former loyalists who were sent packing from the ruling party soon after the November coup for allegedly belonging to G40 which was fiercely opposed to the now State leader’s take over as State President.
