admin
Temba Dube Senior Reporter
BULAWAYO Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo has made a u-turn on his earlier decision not to run for office in the forthcoming harmonised elections.
The move is set to further divide MDC-T in the city as Clr Moyo would have to fight stiff competition from fellow party members, National University of Science and Technology (Nust) lecturer, Dr Mandla Nyathi, lawyer, Mr Kucaca Phulu, and deputy Mayor, Clr Amen Mpofu.
The three are the only ones who had by end of April registered to contest the Mayoral elections on the MDC-T ticket.
The party has since extended the registration period indefinitely as it seeks to attract more candidates.
Last month, Clr Moyo was quoted in the Press saying he was quitting politics.
He said he needed time to spend with his family and to concentrate on business.
However, in an interview yesterday, the Mayor backtracked on his announcement.
“I am not retiring. If I ever do that, my family and the party (MDC-T) would be the first to know. I would not announce it in the newspapers,” said Clr Moyo.
He said he would contest the Executive Mayor’s post.
Bulawayo and Harare would have Executive Mayors who would be directly voted for by the electorate as opposed to ceremonial mayors who are chosen by councillors normally among winning candidates after elections.
“A decision to step down would have to be made in consultation with the party so as long as my party feels they can use me in any position, I am still willing to work. In this case, I will run for the Mayor of the city of Bulawayo,” said Clr Moyo.
The minimum qualifications for Executive Mayoral candidates are yet to be announced.
Local lawyer Mr Matshobana Ncube said under the old Electoral Act aspiring candidates were supposed to have at least five O-Levels, be a registered voter and be at least 40 years old.
“We do not know whether that will be amended,” said Mr Ncube.
The observers said if the age restriction was not amended, Mr Phulu would lose out as he was said to be 38 years old.
Last month, the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo said his Ministry would also suggest that all councillors should have “some qualification to enhance the level of leadership”.
He said it would help to reduce corruption among councillors.
Dr Chombo said there was a need to protect ratepayers by insisting on minimum qualifications for councillors.
At present, no qualification is needed for one to be a councillor.
MDC-T run councils have been fingered in several corruption cases following investigations by both the party and the Local Government ministry.
Councillors have been accused of asking for bribes to influence tender processes among other allegations.
Councils that have had corruption allegations levelled against them include Harare City Council, Chitungwiza Town Council, Ruwa Town Council, Mutare City Council and Chipinge Town Council.
Online Reporter