SHANNISE DZOBO
MASVINGO – There are high chances that the ancient city will get its first female Mayor after ward 2 councillor elect, Shantiele Chiwara a leading contender submitted her application to CCC party president, Nelson Chamisa for the post.
Chiwara confirmed to The Midweek Watch that she submitted her application to be considered for the position after she won on CCC ticket in the just held harmonised elections.
“I am ready to lead the City as I have submitted my application to head office for consideration like all other councillors have done. I believe I am the right person for the post since I have the leadership qualities and qualifications and I will not disappoint,” said the youthful councillor elect.
If she gets elected she will become the first female Mayor for Masvingo City.
Councillors will be sworn in any time from now and the City’s number one citizen will be elected on that day including the deputy.
Sources in the opposition CCC said Chamisa prefers his uncle Ward 5 councilor elect Daniel Mberikunashe and to be deputized by Chiwara.
Efforts to get a comment from Mberikunashe were fruitless as his mobile phone was terminated each time it went through.
Outgoing Mayor, Advocate Collen Maboke said that the person should be of high calibre and good societal standing in order to represent the residents well at all levels.
“I believe that for one to occupy that position as Mayor one should have at least some good educational qualifications in order to be eloquent, vibrant and vocal when they are called for meetings and represent Masvingo City well.
“One should be of good social standing and one who goes along well with the people of Masvingo of all walks of life,” said Maboke.
Ward 4 councilor elect, Aleck Tabe has also thrown his name in the hat.
Tabe said that they are still waiting for a decision from the head office since he also filed his applications to be the next mayor.
“If given the chance to become the Mayor I would gladly take up the position because I believe I have the qualifications and experience that best fit the position and as of now we are waiting for guidance from our head office since there are a number who applied for the same post,” said Tabe.
Tabe is said to be running together with ward 9 councillor elect, Benard Muchokwa who will be the deputy mayor if their plan succeeds.
Long serving councillor under CCC, Richard Musekiwa is also a favourite to land the position considering his experience and close relationship with Council management.
Another CCC councillor elect, Sitemere is said to be unterested in the post as well.
From the ruling party, firebrand ward 10 councillor elect, Sengerayi Manyanga he will contest the post and stands a good chance of winning as the opposition is strongly divided.
The division in the opposition in 2018 cost Chamisa’s favourite horse, Godfrey Kurauone and Maboke grabbed the post after forging an alliance with the ruling party.
The post of deputy Mayor was won by Zanu PF’s Wellington Mawende despite the fact that they had only four councillors as compared to six from the then MDC Alliance.
“I do not mind being the only elected Zanu PF councilor, I have the experience and exposure as well as the people at heart, which are important qualities of a good leader.
“Councillors should know how to serve the people because we are their servants, if councillors are going to chose the mayor based on qualities, I have no doubt that I am the next Masvingo Mayor,” said the outspoken Manyanga.
Masvingo United Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) director, Anoziva Muguti told The Midweek Watch that as an association they would like to have a competent mayor who is well conversant with local governance issues and who has residents at heart.
“As MURRA we would like to have a competent mayor who is well conversant with local governance issues and who has residents at heart. We want someone who is not detached from the realities of our everyday struggles as the residents of Masvingo and we want someone who consults residents and who knows that Council is there to serve residents not the other way round,” said Muguti.
Masvingo Urban City Council has 13 councillor, 10 directly elected and three on Women Quota which introduced this year following an amendment of the law.
Zanu PF has one under the quota system while CCC has two as it won the majority of the wards in the ancient city.
