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Sukulwenkosi Dube-Matutu, Gwanda Correspondent
WARD 20 Councillor Joram Ndlovu has been elected the new Gwanda Rural District Council chairperson while the election of Gwanda Municipality mayor has been set for Monday.
Gwanda RDC and Gwanda Municipality councillors were yesterday sworn into office in separate ceremonies.
Clr Joram Ndlovu, of Zanu-PF, was elected council chairperson with 15 votes defeating the MDC Alliance’s Clr Stanford Nkala who got nine votes.
Clr Jairos Mahopolo from Zanu-PF was voted to be vice council chairperson after acquiring 16 votes defeating MDC Alliance’s Lokukhosi Malila who got seven votes.
Giving his remarks after being elected Clr Ndlovu said he was prepared to ensure that his team spearheaded development throughout the district.
“I’m honoured that my fellow councillors saw it fit for me to be the new council chairperson as it shows that they have confidence in my capabilities. We will work tirelessly to ensure that we address challenges faced by communities such as poor roads, long distances to schools and health centres among others.
“I would like to urge all the councillors to work as a team so that we can realise our goals. We are also prepared to work well with the council staff,” he said.
Clrs Pilate Ndlovu (Ward 15), Mozitha Moyo (Ward 9), Tomson Makalima (Ward 19), Ephraim Nyathi (Ward 17), Coster Ndlovu (Ward 11) and Marry Mpofu (Ward 22) all from Zanu-PF were elected chairpersons for various council committees.
Speaking during the swearing in of Gwanda Municipality councillors acting Gwanda District Administrator, Mr Judge Dube urged the new councillors to desist from engaging in corruption as that stalls development.
He said the incoming councillors were expected during their five year term to spearhead the growth of the town as well as bring about economic development that will improve residents’ standard of living.
“Councillors are key figures in the local government system as they are policy makers at local authority level. They are the drivers of development and service delivery. As you are being sworn in today this marks the start of your duties. You are accountable and have to deliver to the residents that you represent in your wards. Honour your promises and pledges you made to residents during your campaigns.
“Council business is serious business which requires professional and ethical conduct. Therefore I urge you to respect the rule of law and ethics, shun corrupt tendencies and stay away from scandals as this will bring the name of council into disrepute. As His Excellency always says, corruption has no place in the new dispensation. we as Gwanda citizens also say not to corruption,” said Mr Dube.
Gwanda Municipality councillors who took the oath of office are Clrs Mkhululi Tshuma (Ward 1), Nappy Machuya Moyo (Ward 2), Knowledge Ndlovu (Ward 3), Njabulo Siziba (Ward 4), Gilbert Dube (Ward 5), Ponalo Maphala (Ward 6), Jastone Mazhale (Ward 7), Ntuthuko Ndebele (Ward 8), Thulani Moyo (Ward 9) and Albert Ndlovu (Ward 10). – @DubeMatutu
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