Harare, Zimbabwe – July 27, 2025 – Official declarations from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) confirm that the ruling ZANU-PF party has secured victories in recent local authority elections in both Chiredzi and Marondera. These results, formalized through ZEC’s “Declaration of Result of Poll: Local Authority Electoral Act s 66 (1) & 129” forms, highlight the party’s continued presence in local governance.
In Chiredzi Ward 4, the election, overseen by Ward Elections Officer Mavenga Taurasha, saw a contest between ZANU-PF’s Phikelele Austin and independent candidate Macheke Joseph. According to the declaration form dated July 26, 2025:
- Phikelele Austin (ZANU PF) emerged victorious with a significant 1577 votes.
- Macheke Joseph (Independent) garnered 265 votes.
The Chiredzi Ward 4 election also noted 67 rejected ballot papers, constituting 4.2% of the total poll. This outcome declares Phikelele Austin as the duly elected Councillor for Chiredzi Rural District Council, Ward 4.
Similarly, in Marondera Ward 6, the declaration, signed by Ward Elections Officer Kanganga Shingirai Michael, confirmed another ZANU-PF win. The contest in Marondera Ward 6, as per the form dated July 27, 2025, involved ZANU-PF’s Tongawashe Fiona and independent candidate Ziyanga Richard:
- Tongawashe Fiona (ZANU PF) secured the win with 928 votes.
- Ziyanga Richard (Independent) received 22 votes.
In Marondera Ward 6, there were 28 rejected ballot papers, accounting for 32.4% of the poll – a notably higher percentage of rejected ballots compared to the Chiredzi election. Tongawashe Fiona has been declared the duly elected Councillor for Marondera Rural District Council, Ward 6.
These declarations underscore ZANU-PF’s successful outings in these specific local authority contests. The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s official forms serve as the definitive record of these results, detailing the candidates, their respective parties (or independent status), and the votes cast in each ward.
