SEVERAL candidates yesterday conceded defeat after it became apparent that they had lost in elections held on Wednesday.
Among the first to concede defeat was Norton candidate Temba Mliswa (Independent), who was battling it out with Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate, Richard Tsvangirai, and Zanu PF’s Constance Shamu.
Mliswa, who has been a legislator for the constituency since 2016, was trounced by Tsvangirai.
In a message to his supporters, Mliswa expressed gratitude to his team members saying he would not have participated if he had anticipated defeat.
He said he had hoped for re-election to continue his ongoing development projects.
“This is God’s plan, and as a person, I can’t go against this. I want to thank you all for the work you did. If I had known I was going to lose, I would not have contested,” Mliswa said.
CCC’s St Mary’s candidate Freddy Masarirevu also conceded defeat. Masarirevu was at the centre of the storm, with the CCC disowning him and endorsing Brighton Mazhandu as the official party candidate.
“The fact that people voted for different candidates means it is upon us all to unite them and work towards one common goal,” Masarirevu posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“We mostly compete to win, but to learn as well during the process is a real achievement.”
Unofficial results yesterday showed that prominent people like Finance minister Mthuli Ncube and gold dealer Pedzisai “Scott” Sakupwanya had lost in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo and Mabvuku-Tafara in Harare constituencies, respectively.
Incoming CCC MP for Mabvuku-Tafara constituency, Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi, said he knew victory was certain.
“The people have been waiting for this because I have been a man of the people for the 10 years I have been a councillor and beyond that, I am a man of the people,” Kufahakutizwi said.
A video of former student activist, Pashor Sibanda, who was contesting against Ncube, celebrating with his supporters circulated on social media.
— NewsDay
