Zimpapers Logo

. . . MDC-A elects Mahwende deputy mayor

Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
Zanu-PF Masvingo City Ward 6 councillor Cde Wellington Mahwende on Wednesday defied all odds and landed the deputy mayor’s post in a council dominated by the MDC-Alliance.

Lawyer and MDC-Alliance Ward 2 councillor Collins Maboke was elected mayor after beating fellow party aspirant Clr Godfrey Kurauone by seven to three votes.

The elections were held soon after the swearing-in of the new team of councillors at Civic Centre.

Masvingo district administrator Mr Roy Hove presided with the assistance of town clerk Mr Adolph Gusha.

But it was Cde Mahwende’s victory that left many within the MDC-Alliance surprised.

Cde Mahwende defeated MDC-Alliance (ward 1) councillor Selina Maridza who polled three votes compared to his seven.

Cde Mahwende, a land developer, said he was happy to be voted deputy mayor and pledged to work towards improving service delivery in the city.

“I am happy with the faith that my fellow councillors have vested in me by electing me to the post of deputy mayor,” he said.

“I promise to contribute immensely towards service delivery in the city.

“Despite being a Zanu-PF councillor, I have won and that shows there is unity of purpose among the new team of councillors and we hope to continue working as a team.”

Besides the surprise election of Cde Mahwende as deputy mayor, Clr Maboke triumphed over Clr Kurauone, who was reportedly a favourite of the MDC-Alliance leadership.

Sources within the MDC-Alliance told The Herald that there were divisions in the alliance in the build up to the swearing-in of the councillors.

The majority of the councillors were against the choice of the party leadership for the mayoral                         position.

A meeting held at the MDC provincial headquarters in Rhodene prior to voting failed to rail road MDC-Alliance councillors to vote for candidates preferred by the     leadership.