Zanu-PF says its recent victories in by-elections - despite a failing economy, drought and power shortages - are a sign that the masses believe in the party.
A total of 13 by-elections have been held, mainly in rural Zimbabwe, since the 2018 polls.
Only three wins went to the MDC Alliance, while Zanu-PF won 10 wards, according to statistics from the Zimbabwe Electoral Support Network.
Parliamentary by-elections were held in Lupane East and Mutoko North constituencies. The rest were municipal by-elections and were held in Nkayi Ward 23, Bubi Ward 22, Bikita Ward 31, Nyanga Ward 26, Matobo North Ward 25, Mutasa Ward 10; Beitbridge East Ward 15, Chitungwiza South Ward 24, and Chegutu East, Kadoma Central Ward 2 and Cowdray Park Ward 28.
Apart from retaining its 2018 spoils, the ruling party wrested two wards, one of which is in an urban centre, from the MDC Alliance at a time when critics anticipated Zanu-PF would perform dismally due to its unpopular economic policies.
"People are aware that the economic challenges are not a creation of Zanu-PF, they know the bad weather patterns have affected water levels in Kariba, which has led to power cuts," said Zanu-PF spokesperson Simon Khaya-Moyo.
"They are aware that the food shortages are because of the drought and not Zanu-PF. They are aware that the new dispensation is working tirelessly to root out corruption. You have seen big politicians being arrested and more arrests are coming. So the electorate relates more with Zanu-PF, more so because our relationship dates back to the liberation war era."
But the MDC Alliance alleges that Zanu-PF enjoys an unfair advantage because it controls state resources and machinery.
"The bigger picture is that it is really a one-sided story if you look at the financial capacity of the MDC and Zanu-PF. Zanu-PF does not even need to come up with a budget for a by-election campaign. They simply just go to parastatals and harness them," said the MDC Alliance's losing candidate for Lupane East, Dalumuzi Khumalo.
He said the MDC Alliance has not received the $3.8m in state funding it is entitled to under the Political Parties Finance Act.
The government last week said it had no financial resources to give to political parties, a move the opposition believes is meant to weaken it.
Another by-election is to take place next month. Zaka East will go to the polls on September 21 and political analysts predict a Zanu-PF win, owing to dirty tricks.
"Let us remember the harvest of fear that Zanu-PF benefits from. If you burnt my hut in 2008 and chopped off my neighbour's hand, in 2018 you only need to hold the axe and matchbox and the message is well understood," said political analyst Rashweat Mukundu.
Another political analyst, James Mupfumi, agreed, saying "the participation of the rural electorate in such an environment is a matter of human security".
This is worsened by the partisan distribution of resources, analysts said.
"A lot happens in the rural areas. There is systematic retribution but it doesn't end there," said media lecturer and political analyst Wellington Gadzikwa. "There is partisan distribution of food aid and farming inputs. A villager stands to lose these if they are not politically correct, and most choose to vote for their stomachs. The recent elections in Lupane are the tip of the iceberg."
Before that by-election, deputy defence minister Victor Matemadanda asked health minister Obadiah Moyo to release medicines specifically to Lupane East.
The National Social Security Authority (NSSA) report being used by the Zimbabwe anti-corruption commission unearthed systematic looting of funds from state entities by political stalwarts to fund their political campaigns. Former tourism minister Prisca Mupfumira, who was fired this week, faces charges over the alleged use of $303,000 of NSSA money to fund her campaign.
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