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Masvingo Bureau
JOCKEYING for the newly-created post of chairperson of the provincial council has started in Masvingo with several candidates from the ruling Zanu-PF reportedly positioning themselves for the post.Under the new Constitution the post of governor was scrapped and replaced with provincial council chairperson who will chair the newly created provincial council comprising 10 members of the council, all House of Assembly members and two chiefs who are members of the Council of Chiefs, among others.

Among those said to be leading the race for the provincial council chair is Zimbabwe National Liberation War Collaborators Association Gutu district chairman Cde Pupurai Togarepi who was also elected into the provincial council.

Another candidate who is being touted for the post is Zanu-PF youth secretary for information and publicity Cde Fainos Makwarimba who was also elected into the provincial council.

Zanu-PF heavyweight in Bikita Colonel Claudious Makova (Retired) was also said to be interested in the post, while the name of Zanu-PF Masvingo provincial executive member Cde Joosbi Omar has also been thrown around.

Colonel Makova (Rtd) said he had not yet submitted his name for the provincial chairman post, but added that he would accept the post if he got the mandate from his colleagues in Zanu-PF.

“I have not submitted my name to be elected provincial council chairperson, but if my party Zanu-PF of which I am a loyal cadre wants me to take the post, I will accept,’’ he said.

Cde Omar denied that he had interest in the post, but said he would accept the post if he were to be offered by Zanu-PF.
Cde Makwarimba said he was interested in becoming the provincial council chairperson if he got the backing of his colleagues in Zanu PF.

“Like everybody else if I have all the requisite qualifications that are needed for that post, why should I not take it,” he said. “I have got a vision to spur the economic growth of Masvingo province.’’

Cde Makwarimba said that top on his priority would be to resuscitate the dormant former mining town of Mashava and urgently work to make sure that the southern Masvingo areas benefit from Tokwe-Murkosi Dam.