SAMUEL NJINGA IN MASVINGO.
The political landscape of Gutu East is heating up ahead of the crucial by-elections slated for 14 June, as 3 determined candidates enter the ring to replace the vacant parliamentary seat. The contest pits Zvarevashe Masvingise of ZANU PF, Gift Gonese, an Independent, and Zivanai Nzvenga of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), each carrying distinct profiles, ambitions, and approaches to wooing voters.
Riding on the ZANU PF horse, Zvarevashe Masvingise, a seasoned figure in Masvingo Province’s ruling party structures, is no stranger to grassroots mobilisation. Previously serving in district leadership roles within ZANU PF, Masvingise is seen by many within the party as a loyalist with deep rural support.
In an interview following the close of nominations today, Masvingise expressed unwavering confidence.
“The nomination exercise went on very well. We never had any challenges. The message we are sending out there as ZANU PF is that we are looking forward to a resounding victory. We are on the ground and I want to assure our party cadres that I will definitely be taking back the seat to ZANU PF.”
His campaign has leaned heavily on party loyalty, promising continuity of government development programs, particularly road rehabilitation and agricultural inputs distribution. With ZANU PF’s stronghold in many parts of Masvingo Province, Masvingise is banking on institutional support and the party’s deep organisational reach.
Gift Gonese, a former MDC-T member who has since broken ranks to go independent, presents himself as a reformist alternative. Known in civil society circles for his grassroots activism, Gonese has drawn attention for his courageous stance against political inequality and state influence in rural voting patterns. “It is known by the Gutu East electorate that the political terrain is not even. We have placed some mitigating measures to ensure that we win. I will win regardless of the fact that I am fighting against some people who are at the top while I am down the terrain,” he said, suggesting his campaign is tailored for a David versus Goliath political battle.
Gonese’s campaign has focused on transparency, social justice, and youth empowerment. While lacking the financial muscle of his rivals, his message resonates with disenfranchised voters, particularly young people and first-time voters disillusioned with party politics.
Representing the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA), Zivanai Nzvenga, viewed by this reporter as somehow a quiet farmer with ambitions for change, offers perhaps the most modest profile of the three. A full-time farmer from the outskirts of Gutu, Nzvenga represents a new wave of citizen politicians rising from everyday life, hoping to break into national politics through authenticity and relatability. “Our party is still young. Myself I am a mere farmer. I am looking at nothing short of a win,” he stated during a short press briefing.
The NCA, once a vibrant constitutional reform body under Lovemore Madhuku, has struggled to convert civic activism into electoral success. Yet Nzvenga’s candidacy brings a rural, grounded narrative to the race, one that appeals to voters seeking less polished, more relatable representation in Parliament.
Gutu East has long been a contested political zone. Previously held by ZANU PF, the seat fell vacant when Benjamin Ganyiwa was expelled from the party for disloyalty, creating an opening for both old and new political actors to make their mark. Apparently the by-election has drawn national attention as a bellwether for Zimbabwe’s democratic maturity election exercise.
The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has pledged transparency and fairness in the run-up to the poll. Civil society observers, however, remain watchful, urging vigilance from all players to ensure that the electorate’s voice is respected.
As the by-election day draws near, the majority of Gutu East villages are buzzing with campaign slogans, door-to-door visits, and increasing voter engagement. While ZANU PF’s Masvingise leans on a powerful party machine, Gonese brings a bold independent spirit, and Nzvenga represents the quiet determination of the grassroots.
For continuing coverage of Zimbabwe’s 2025 Gutu East by-elections, stay tuned to Hevoi FM News and Hevoi FM Radio Station in particular.