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Midlands Correspondent
Newly-elected Redcliff mayor Councillor Clayton Masiyatsva has vowed to work round the clock to end perennial water woes that have been the town’s major undoing for decades.
Clr Masiyatsva was unanimously elected into office during the swearing-in ceremony of nine councillors on Wednesday.
Clr Vincent Masiiwa retained his post as Redcliff deputy mayor after he was also unanimously elected.
Redcliff has not had running water for decades and relies on Kwekwe for water supplies.
In most cases, Redcliff relies on borehole water as Kwekwe cuts supply to the smaller town because of huge unpaid bills.
In his acceptance speech, Clr Masiyatsva said water reticulation was on top of his agenda.
“I have been councillor for a long time now and I am aware of the challenges that befall the town, chief among them the persistent water problems,” he said. “I will ensure that the water situation in Redcliff has improved.”
Among other strategies, Clr Masiyatsva said he will engage Kwekwe City Council to see how best Redcliff can have uninterrupted water supply, as well as ensure the completion of the water reticulation plant that is under construction.
He also said there was no room for corruption within the town, urging the councillors to work as a team.
“Our motto is zero tolerance to corruption,” said Clr Masiyatsva. “I urge all councillors to be disciplined and transparent in the manner they do business and leave no room for corruption.”
Kwekwe district administrator Mr Fortune Mpungu, who presided over the swearing in ceremony, also urged councillors to shun corruption.
“It is no longer business as usual and I urge you to start working now for the improvement for service delivery in the area,” he said. “I also urge you to shun corruption which has threatened to take down the country’s economy.”
Mr Mpungu said devolution of power was fostered by local authorities.
“Councils are the backbone of the devolution system, they are the engines of the devolution system,” he said.
“So, if councils, including Redcliff, do not deliver then the system goes to waste. So, I urge you to pull up your socks.”
Clr Masiyatsva takes over from Freddy Kapuya who is now MP for Mhondoro-Mbaira.
Before being voted into the mayoral post, Clr Masiyatsva, who has been councillor since 2008, was the finance committee chairperson in the previous council.
Online Reporter