Mixed feelings on new electoral boundaries

Thembelihle Mhlanga

Lupane residents have expressed mixed feelings on the new electoral boundaries effected by the recently gazzeted Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) Delimitation Report. 

There have been a number of changes at ward level which saw some wards collapsing. Lupane West constituency  pinched Lubimbi and Siamagonde wards from Binga South Constituency. 

Witness Moyo from Ndlovu Village of Matshiya said the new ward boundaries will cause serious voter apathy as the electoral body ignored some physical features 

“I am a resident of Ndlovu village and my village has been removed from Matshiya ward and joined to Sotani ward and this is a big problem. Sotani ward is across Gwayi river and falls under the Forestry Commission Concession. My village and Shabula which were joined to Sotani ward are purely in the communal areas under the jurisdiction of Kusile Rural District Council (KRDC), so how does the elected councilor champion development in such a scenario given our different interests?,” quizzed Moyo.

His sentiments were echoed by Lister Mwembwe of Sinamagonde ward in Binga who said the new boundaries will affect a lot of people. 

“There will be varying ballots, one for the local authority which falls under Binga Rural District Council and the other for the National assembly which will now be under Lupane West. One wonders how this could work,” said Mwembwe.

However, Mr Nkosilathi Ndlovu of Dadandanda in Lupane said it has been the norm for boundaries to change at a given time, so the electorate should just adjust and move on.

“I started voting in 1985 and since then boundaries have been changing to suit the cause for that particular period. In times  past, part of Lupane was then under Hwange and part of Nkayi under Lupane, so we just need to embrace change,” said Ndlovu.

ZEC is currently conducting a voter registration blitz to give first time voters and those wishing to transfer to other constituencies opportunities to do so