adminTemba Dube Senior Reporter
THE Government directive that mayors should be chosen from elected councillors has sparked jostling for the post among Bulawayo councillors thereby further dividing the party in the province. Councillors have reportedly started campaigning to be elected to the post. Four re-elected councillors, Mr Earnest Rafamoyo of Ward 20, who was disqualified by party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai for the post after an interview, Mr Collet Ndhlovu of Ward 25, Mr James Sithole of Ward 7 and Mr Martin K Moyo of Ward 3, have emerged as front-runners for the post.
Initially, Mr Tsvangirai had imposed National University of Science and Technology lecturer Dr Mandla Nyathi for the city’s top post.
The move was resisted by all the 29 elected councillors.
Mr Tsvangirai reportedly had a harsh exchange of words with senior party member Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo after Dr Sipepa Nkomo openly disapproved the selection of Dr Nyathi.
In interviews yesterday, councillors celebrated Government’s directive but party provincial leaders insisted Dr Nyathi remained the party’s choice.
Councillors said the Government had given them a chance to “democratically” choose a mayor.
“We were not going to vote for Dr Nyathi because this directive has given us the right to choose who we want. I think it will be a close contest between MK Moyo and Sithole because they are the most educated. All four have been elected to council for a second term. We have the final say as we are the ones who will vote. Some of the councillors have already started canvassing for our votes,” said one of the councillors.
A councillor said Mr Gift Banda, who won in Ward 5 could be a dark horse as he had resources that he could use to gain favour among fellow councillors.
“We have been empowered by the Government’s decision. Imposition was highly unpopular in the party. This will give us a chance to choose a mayor without fear of victimisation. In this party, if you fall out of favour with the leaders, you are victimised.
Look at what happened in the primary elections, all those who were not in good books with the leaders, were removed, even those who had won the elections,” said another councillor.
Contacted for comment, MDC-T spokesperson for Bulawayo Mr Mandla Sibanda, said the party stood by Dr Nyathi.
“You will realise that everyone is making noise coming up with different interpretations of the constitutional provision on election of mayors. The constitution puts it broadly and we are now awaiting interpretation of the provisions by the courts.
We will as a province not make arrangements to choose another mayor. Dr Nyathi is our choice but legislation will guide us,” said Mr Sibanda.
The Bulawayo provincial stance seems to contradict the position of the national leadership after national party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday revealed that the party had provisionally chosen a Mr Manyenyenye as Harare mayor and Mr Philip Mutoti as mayor for Chitungwiza in apparent anticipation of losing the battle to elect mayors outside council.
MDC-T youths have reportedly written a petition questioning the party’s internal democratic systems and processes, including the imposition of mayoral candidates.
Senior officials in the party have been quoted in the Press alleging there was tension after Mr Tsvangirai began to directly appoint mayors, their deputies and chairpersons of committees in various cities and towns won by the MDC-T.
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter