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Blessings Chidakwa Herald Reporter

Harare City Council is today scheduled to elect its new mayor and deputy following the CCC interim Secretary General Mr Sengezo Tshabangu’s recall of councillors Ian Makone (Ward 18) and Kudzai Kadzombe (Ward 41).

Among those vying for the top post are councillors Simon Mapanzure (Ward 34), Happymore Gotora (Ward 17) and Blessing Muroyiwa (Ward 2).

Former Mayor Jacob Mafume (Ward 19) who never contested when Mr Makone took over is also among the favourites to clinch the top post since he was only at the helm for a short stint.

Due to perennial petty opposition politics the term of the previous council was also marred with a mayoral headache when former Councillor Hebert Gomba was recalled leaving the city vulnerable to leadership crisis.

Mr Gomba was subsequently replaced by former Mayor Mafume whose tenure was also marred with controversy when he was suspended, as the city was run on parallel structures.

Cllr Mafume claimed to be the mayor while fellow councillor Mr Stewart Mutizwa also claimed to be the acting mayor, exposing serious divisions and infighting that have always rocked the opposition parties in their changing forms.