Mwonzora Calls for Opposition Unity After Epworth By-Election Defeat

Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Douglas Mwonzora has emphasized the urgent need for opposition parties in Zimbabwe to come together in unity, arguing that disunity has contributed to their continued poor performance in elections.

His remarks follow the recently concluded Ward 6 by-election in Epworth, where the ruling party, ZANU PF, emerged victorious.

Their candidate, Civilised Bushe, garnered 3,022 votes, while MDC-T’s Alice Nyahunzvi managed only 120 votes. An independent candidate, Peter Nyapetwa, received 23 votes. Notably, the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), did not participate in the contest.

Mwonzora, who chose to boycott the 2023 presidential elections, fielded a candidate in the Epworth by-election — a move that drew criticism from opposition supporters due to the dismal results.

Speaking during an X (formerly Twitter) Space on Wednesday, Mwonzora said the by-election was intended as a litmus test for the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC), to evaluate whether promised electoral reforms had taken root.

“ZEC released a document outlining its plan for achieving free and fair elections, so we decided to put it to the test. Unfortunately, they failed miserably,” he said.

Mwonzora alleged widespread vote buying in Epworth, claiming that residents were given food hampers on election day and EcoCash payments in exchange for votes in favor of ZANU PF. He also said voters were intimidated, with threats that the government would demolish 16,000 houses in Epworth if people supported the MDC.

He further accused ZEC of failing to provide a functional voters’ roll, explaining that while the MDC was given a digital version, it was inaccessible and a formal complaint lodged with ZEC was ignored.

Mwonzora also responded to mockery and criticism from fellow opposition members regarding his party’s loss, saying it reflected a broader challenge facing all opposition parties.

“The issue is bigger than just the MDC. We’re seeing a general trend of poor opposition performance, and instead of tearing each other down, we must come together,” he said.

He warned that continued fragmentation among opposition forces could result in Zimbabwe becoming a one-party state, and called for reconciliation and collaboration across political divides.

“There’s no victory in a divided opposition. Yes, some may try to score points by laughing at the MDC for losing one seat, but others lost 45. It’s time to bury the hatchet and focus on the bigger picture,” he added.

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