adminMichael Magoronga Midlands Correspondent
Ward 10 councillor Angeline Kasipo was yesterday elected new mayor of Kwekwe at a swearing-in ceremony for councillors at Kwekwe Civic Centre, making history as the first female to hold such a post in the city after independence.
Clr Kasipo was elected unopposed, while Clr Shadreck Tobaiwa was unanimously elected deputy mayor.
A total of 14 councillors were sworn in yesterday. In her acceptance speech, Clr Kasipo promised to be a servant of the residents of Kwekwe.
“I feel humbled by the gesture and the confidence that people of Kwekwe have shown in me,” she said.
“I promise to repay them through servant leadership. I will be there for the people.”
Clr Kasipo said water reticulation was on top of her list.
“I feel people in Kwekwe should have uninterrupted water supply, therefore, I promise to ensure that the water supply system is working around the clock,” she said.
On vendors, Clr Kasipo said she will not force them off the streets before an alternative plan is provided. “I feel it is a bit unfair for us to say vendors should be removed from the streets when we have no alternative for them,” she said.
“I think it is prudent to create space for them, then we move them there.”
Clr Kasipo said she did not feel any pressure from being the first female mayor for the town. “I respect my predecessor (Clr Matenda Madzoke), a hard working man, a man of integrity,” she said.
“But that should not exert any pressure on me as the first female mayor for the town.”
Clr Kasipo takes over from Clr Madzoke, who hogged the limelight for rejecting an official council vehicle and rode a bicycle to work.
Clr Kasipo said she was not under pressure to force council to purchase a vehicle for her.
“I will have to liaise with the council first,” she said. “I am not ruling out that a vehicle is not important, but if necessary and if it makes service delivery easy, then a vehicle should be purchased.”
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