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Conrad Mupesa

Mashonaland West Bureau

Chinhoyi Municipality yesterday elected a new mayor, Councillor Garikai Dendera and his deputy councillor Mercy Mada in a close contest between Zanu PF and MDC.

Councillor Dendera beat Zanu PF’s Voster Mashevedzanwa by a single vote to claim the position despite the MDC having six councillors and Zanu PF only two. The council has one independent councillor.

Cllr Dendera got five votes against Cllr Mashevedzanwa’s four while Clr Mada beat Cllr Innocent Mangwanya of Zanu PF by three votes. The election followed the recalling of former mayor Dyke Makumbe, his deputy Chipo Mlotshwa and four other councillors by the MDC-T party on Tuesday.

Mr Makumbe was the councillor for Ward 12 while Mrs Mlotshwa represented Ward 14.

The other recalled councillors are Brighton Mhizha (Ward 4), Patricia Chibaya (Ward 2), Richard Vhitirinyu (Ward 3) and Mukudzei Zambuko Chigumbura (Ward 8).

Chinhoyi Municipality’s spokesperson, Mr Tichaona Mlauzi said the elections were conducted after a letter from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo, instructing Chinhoyi Municipality to fill the vacant positions.”

“The election process went on well and it was fair.

“We invited the district development coordinator Mr Benjamin Zivanai and council chamber secretary, Mr Abel Gotora to preside over the elections,” he said.

Cllr Dendera said he will work to ensure improved service delivery, including timely refuse collection and improved roads.