ZANU PF political commissar, Mike Bimha, has urged people to vote in large numbers for the ruling party in the upcoming February 3 by-elections. He called on party members to support their candidate, Edgar Ncube, in the Mkoba North constituency, the <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/cde-bimha-appeals-for-zanu-pf-vote-in-by-elections/">Chronicle</a> reported. Bimha expressed concern about the low voter turnout in previous by-elections and emphasised the need to change this trend.
Addressing a Press conference after meeting the party’s Midlands provincial team that is campaigning for Edgar Ncube, Bimha said:
<blockquote>
We would like to appeal to our party members to come in their numbers on February 3 and vote for the party and our candidate for Mkoba North Cde Ncube.
We want to change this hence we are calling on all our registered voters in Mkoba North to all come and vote for Cde Ncube so that he wins resoundingly. I would like to appeal to our Women’s League, Youth League and War Veterans to continue to give support to our provincial teams.
</blockquote>
The party has been actively preparing for the campaigns since the announcement of the by-election date. Bimha called on provincial structures across the country to play their part in mobilising support. He expressed the party’s commitment to strengthening its position with each election, noting that their improved performance in the previous elections was a sign that ZANU-PF is delivering on its promises. The party has in the past been accused of failing to deliver electoral promises.

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/2024/01/19/high-court-orders-removal-of-recalled-ccc-mps-from-february-by-elections-ballot-papers/">High Court Orders Removal Of Recalled CCC MPs From February By-elections Ballot Papers</a></li>
</ul>
The by-elections are taking place in six constituencies -Pelandaba-Tshabalala in Bulawayo, Mkoba North in the Midlands, Chegutu West and Zvimba East in Mashonaland West and Seke and Goromonzi South in Mashonaland East. The by-elections are being held to fill vacant posts left by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) officials who were recalled by Sengezo Tshabangu, the party’s disputed interim Secretary-General. 
Meanwhile, the High Court ruled yesterday that 23 CCC Members of Parliament who were recalled last year are not eligible to contest in the by-elections representing the CCC. If they do not take further legal action, they won’t be on the ballot paper for the February 3, 2024 by-elections. 
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Pindula News

ZANU-PF Urges Massive Voter Turnout In By-Elections, Expresses Commitment To Deliver Promises

A police officer from Mkoba, Gweru in Zimbabwe has been charged with murder after fatally shooting a man named Bongani Ndlovu who intended to free his detained friend. The incident occurred on Boxing Day when the officer, identified as 19-year-old Kudakwashe Gurajena, and his colleagues were on patrol. They encountered a rowdy group attempting to free a friend who had been arrested for disorderly conduct, <a href="https://www.zimlive.com/man-shot-dead-during-confrontation-with-armed-cops-police-memo/">ZimLive</a> reported citing a police memo.
According to the memo, Ndlovu aggressively confronted the officer and his colleagues, throwing stones and demanding the release of his friend. Ndlovu allegedly snatched handcuffs and keys from an officer, threatening to stab him with an Okapi knife.
Reinforcement was called, but Ndlovu managed to escape. However, he returned to the police station later armed with the same knife, persisting in his violent attempt to free his friend. The officers surrounded Ndlovu and instructed him to surrender.
Ignoring their commands, Ndlovu charged towards two officers. One of them tripped and dropped his rifle. Gurajena, in response to the imminent threat, picked up the firearm and fired, fatally shooting Ndlovu in the neck. Read the memo in part:
<blockquote>
While the accused and his team were escorting Tafadzwa Ndlela and other accused persons to the police station, the now deceased started throwing stones at the police officers ordering them to release his friends.
The stones hit P/Cst Musazulwa on the right lower leg and P/Cst Masango on the right hip. They sustained a swollen leg and a swollen hip respectively.
The now deceased who was armed with an okapi knife snatched handcuffs and keys from P/Cst Masango threatening to stab him.
Police called for reinforcement from Mkoba police station, when it arrived Bongani Ndhlovu ran away and the police officers failed to apprehend him. A report of Assault was made at ZRP Mkoba RRB 5816501 refers.
</blockquote>
Bongani Ndlovu continued his violent attempt to free his friend at Mkoba police station. He arrived at the station and shouted, demanding the release of his friend while threatening to harm one of the police officers with a knife he was holding.
The police officers, including Sergeant Ncube, Sergeant Mushai, Constable Motsi, Constable Shava, Constable Svova, Constable Mafios, Police Constable Gurajena, Police Constable Gobvu, and Police Constable Musazulwa, were instructed to surround Ndlovu and arrest him.
Sergeant Ncube was armed with an F/N rifle with five rounds, and Constable Shava had a Mosberg rifle with one round. When Ndlovu saw the officers approaching, he started running, and the police pursued him.
At a location near Bata dam, Sergeant Mushai fired three warning shots in the air, urging Ndlovu to surrender and lie down. However, Ndlovu ignored the instructions, charging towards Constable Shava and Police Constable Gurajena with the knife in his hand.
Constable Shava tripped and fell, dropping his rifle. Ndlovu continued to approach them, threatening to harm one of the officers. Gurajena quickly picked up the fallen rifle and fired a single shot at Ndlovu, hitting him in the neck. Ndlovu died instantly.
The scene was attended by officers from ZRP Mkoba, C.I.D Mkoba, and C.I.D Scenes of Crime Gweru. Ndlovu’s body was found lying on its back, facing west, with bloodstains on his white sweater. An Okapi knife was found near his left hand.
The body was taken to Gweru Provincial Hospital, where a doctor certified Ndlovu’s death. It was then transferred to the mortuary for a postmortem examination.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

Man Shot Dead After Attempting To Free Detained Friend

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has warned that the Government will crush instigators of politically-motivated violence and described the opposition as sellouts.
Addressing ZANU PF supporters at a rally in Mkoba, Gweru, on Thursday, Mnangagwa also urged residents to vote for ZANU PF so as to preserve the country’s independence. He said:
<blockquote>
When we defeated whites after a protracted war of independence, they left behind their remnants who want to ferment violence and chaos in the country. We will deal with them.
ZANU PF is the only party which has a history and a legacy for this country. We will not allow zvimbwasungata (puppets) to rule this country.
The current freedom we are enjoying, the current liberation, the current independence and sovereignty, and the current respect and dignity we are enjoying as a people, came at a cost.
It came as a result of some daughters and sons who sacrificed their lives and limbs for us to get independence.
You were beaten by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to this seat, I do not want to see a repeat of that.
</blockquote>
The Mkoba parliamentary seat was retained by CCC interim organising secretary, Amos Chibaya, in the 26 March by-elections.
Chibaya had won the seat in 2018 on an MDC Alliance ticket but was recalled by the MDC-T following a controversial Supreme Court ruling in March 2020.
Meanwhile, Mnangagwa’s comments come at a time cases of politically motivated violence have been rising across the country.
Four CCC supporters have been killed since March including the stabbing of Mboneni Ncube at a rally in Mbizo, Kwekwe.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newzimbabwe.com/we-will-deal-with-them-says-mnangagwa-as-he-makes-it-clear-zanu-pf-not-ready-to-surrender-power/">NewZimbabwe.com</a></h4>

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