The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) has declared ZANU PF candidate Obvious Tinarwo Madzivanyika the duly elected councillor for Ward 13 of the Bikita Rural District Council after his only rival withdrew from the race ahead of a scheduled by-election.
In a notice issued on Monday, 19 January 2026, ZEC said Brilliant Mukaro of the Democratic Alliance of Zimbabwe (DAZ), who had been nominated for the Ward 13 by-election scheduled for 31 January 2026, had formally withdrawn his candidacy.
ZEC said Mukaro’s withdrawal left Madzivanyika as the only remaining nominated candidate. The notice reads:
“It is hereby notified, in terms of section 126 (2) of the Electoral Act [Chapter 2:13], that Mukaro Brilliant of DAZ party nominated for election in the Ward 13 Bikita RDC by-election scheduled for the 31st of January 2026, has withdrawn his candidature.
“It is further advised that since only one candidate remains duly nominated for election for Ward 13 Bikita RDC, Madzivanyika Obvious Tinarwo of ZANU PF party is hereby declared duly elected councillor for the said ward with effect from the 9th of January 2026.”
The Bikita Ward 13 seat became vacant following the death of Councillor Elliott Chipinda (44) of ZANU PF, who also worked as an Agritex officer.
Chipinda reportedly took his own life last year at his homestead after his wife formally ended their marriage by presenting him with a divorce token, known locally as a gupuro.
His body was discovered the following morning by a neighbour who had gone to fetch water.
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