The Mwenezi East by-election was necessitated by the death of Honourable Joshua Moyo hence was implemented according to Section 159 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe and declared so through Section 39 of the Electoral Act, which mandates the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) to conduct a by-election within 90 days after the vacancy is declared. 8 April 2017 was set by the President as the date of the by-election.