The Daily News (Harare)
1 April 2005
Harare — The counting of votes in Zimbabwe's elections has begun and the main opposition party has secured victories in key cities, making a strong showing in early results against President Robert Mugabe's ruling (ZANU-PF), in power for 25 years.
The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC), led by Morgan Tsvangirai, has won 25 out of the first 29 seats whose results were announced by 10.00am today. It has taken Harare and Zimbabwe's second city of Bulawayo, just as it did in the last elections in 2000, chief elections officer Lovemore Sekeramai said.
The overall turnout was lower than 40 percent, according to electoral officials. The voter turnout in the previous elections was 47 per cent.
After the closing of polls yesterday, police rounded up and detained 200 women who had gathered in Harare's main square for an all-night prayer vigil for "divine intervention" as they waited for the first results to trickle in.
A journalist and a photographer for the Sunday Telegraph in the UK were also arrested
in Norton, outside of Harare, as they interviewed voters and charged with violating the country's strict media laws for working without proper accreditation.
Toby Harnden, chief foreign correspondent for the Sunday Telegraph and photographer Julian Simmonds are being held in custody at the Norton police station, police said.
To win in this election, the MDC will have to gain 76 seats, compared to only 46 for ZANU-PF, which can again rely on the 30 presidential appointments to pad its majority in parliament.
Some 5,8 million Zimbabweans were registered to vote in the elections, Zimbabwe's sixth parliamentary vote since independence in 1980.
The results of the first 29 constituencies announced were as follows:
Pelandaba/Mpopoma
Milford Gwetu MDC 11 587, Sikhanyiso Ndlovu Zanu PF 3 228, Leonard Nkala Independent 141
Nkulumane
Gibson Sibanda MDC 12 392, Absolom Sikhosana Zanu PF 3 243
Mutare Central
Innocent Gonese MDC 13 289, Shadreck Beta Zanu PF 5 088, Sylvia Tsatsa Zanu, 73
St Mary's
Job Sikhala MDC 13 369, Patrick Nyaruwata Zanu PF 7 498, Tendekai Mashwata Independent, 130
Harare East
Tendai Biti MDC 9 259, Muvengwa Madhonza Mukarati Zanu PF 4363
Lobengula Magwegwe
Fletcher Dulini Ncube MDC 12 603, Molly Ndlovu, Zanu PF 2 892
Harare Central
Murwisi Zvizwai MDC 10 462, Florence Chideya Zanu PF 4 423, Margret Dongo Independent 523
Manyame Patrick Zhuwao Zanu PF 15 448, Suka Hilda Mafudze 8 312 Bulawayo South David Coltart MDC 12 120, Sithembiso Nyoni Zanu PF 3 777 Masvingo Central Tongai Mathuthu MDC 10 298, Shylet Uyoyo, Zanu PF 10 103 Zengeza Goodrich Chimbaira MDC, 12 129, Christopher Chigumba Zanu PF 8 718 Dzivarasekwa Edwin Mushoriwa MDC 11 617, Muchada Francis Kadada Zanu PF 5 040 Chitungwiza Fidelis Mhashu MDC 12 024, Brighton Chirongwe Zanu PF 8 126, Juru Kumbirai Grace Zanu 193 Highfield Pearson Mungofa MDC 12 600, Nyandoro Panashe Rhoderick Zanu PF 4 296, Sekai Futire Zanu 88 Marondera West Ambrose Mutinhiri Zanu PF 16 029, Shadreck Chipangura MDC 4 457 Hatfield Tapiwa Mashakada 11 652, Amos Midzi Zanu PF 9 408 Glenview Paul Madzore MDC 14 231, Sabina Mangwende Zanu PF 3 993, Clemence Machakaire 61 Glen Norah Priscilla Misihairambwi-Mushonga MDC 14 841, Victoria Chitepo Zanu PF 4 648, Thomas Ziwachi Ziya 36 Mufakose Pauline Mpariwa MDC 12 643, Sabina Thembani Zanu PF 4 016, Magaya Ngonidzashe Zanu 177 Kambuzuma Willias Madzimure MDC 17 394, Samuel Mvurume Zanu PF 5 555 Mkoba Amos Chibaya MDC 10 191, Paul Chingano Zanu PF 5 608 Budiriro Gilbert Shoko MDC 17 053, David Makufa Zanu PF 4 886 Mhondoro Sylvestre Nguni Zanu PF 13 966, Shake Maya MDC 4 015 Kuwadzana Nelson Chamisa MDC 13 870, David Mutasa Zanu PF 5 024, Luckyson Chitate Zanu 116 Harare South Gilbert Nyanhongo Zanu PF 11 545, James Mushonga MDC 10 716 Makokoba Thokozani Khupe MDC 12 138, Sihle Thebe Zanu PF 3 438, Arnold Payne Independent 165, Wilson Basiyane Independent 97
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