In Redcliff, Freddy Kapuya of Zanu (PF) polled five out of nine votes against Takura Chikwira's four of the MDC- T.
This is despite that the MDC- T boosts of seven elected councilors against Zanu (PF)'s two. In Kwekwe, Matenda Madzoke of Zanu (PF) beat rival Aaron Gwalazimba of the MDC- T after he secured eight votes despite that both parties hold seven seats respectively.
The party's spokesperson, Douglas Mwonzora attributed the defeat of mayoral candidates from his party in these constituencies to victimisation and possible vote buying.
He said the party would take disciplinary action against the councillors found on the wrong side of the party's founding values and principles.
"This is the work of a few individuals. We believe that they could have acted in the way they did because they were victimised. It is possible that they thought that having a Zanu (PF) mayor would save them from being removed from council by the Local Government Minister, Ignatius Chombo like what happened in the past," he said.
Mwonzora said the possibility of vote buying by Zanu (PF) mayoral candidates was very high. "We cannot rule out vote buying because (Zanu (PF)) are experts at it," he said.
He said voting for Zanu (PF) mayors by MDC- T councillors was a betrayal of the electorate “who voted them into power to change the Zanu way of doing things in urban local authorities”. Said Mwonzora: "We believe that these councilors should be disciplined accordingly."
Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo said the development was an indicator that the urban electorate was realising that his party was progressive and people oriented. "Even the MDC councillors are satisfied with how we do things as a party. Our policies and what we have done in the past shows that we have the people at heart,” he said. "Women and youth empowerment and the cancellation of water and electricity bills are success stories spearheaded by our party and this is why they voted for Zanu (PF) candidates."
Post published in: News