adminFortunate Gora and Blessings Chidakwa
Councillors from Chegutu and Chinhoyi municipalities yesterday assumed their five-year tenure after they were sworn in in their respective towns.
In Chinhoyi, councillor Dyke Makumbi was unanimously chosen as Chinhoyi mayor, while Cllr Chipo Mlotshwa would deputise him after she was elected unopposed.
The councillors took oath of office in front of their families and friends in the council chambers, in which Makonde district administrator Mr Joseph Manyurapasi was the presiding officer, assisted by the Chinhoyi Town Clerk Mr Maxwell Kaitano.
Cllr Makumbi takes over from Mr Test Michaels who lost in the July 30 harmonised elections.
The MDC Alliance dominates the council with 12 councillors, Zanu-PF has two and one is an independent candidate.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Makumbi said he would work hard to ensure that Chinhoyi residents had good roads and housing, among other needs.
“Residents reposed confidence in us to deliver houses, good roads and quality services,” he said. “They asked us to tackle corruption and expand health care services, among other issues.
“Through our collective efforts, our communities must see marked improvement in their living standards and conditions. Together with you, the residents of Chinhoyi, we will continue to keep our town a beautiful, progressive and safe place to live and invest.’’
Mr Makumbi said his team had set a target of attending to all service delivery interruptions such as water leaks, blocked sewage system, malfunctioning street lighting and traffic lights within 24 hours.
This, he said, would be achieved by introducing a service delivery hotline.
In Chegutu, newly elected mayor Cllr Henry Muchatibaya (Ward 8) said unity of purpose would be key in developing the farming and mining town.
“To Chegutu residents, council management and the councillors, all l need is your support so that we build the town together,” he said.
Cllr Muchatibaya garnered seven votes against Cllr Edward Dzeka and Cllr Anywhere Mukutuma who had three and two votes respectively.
He will be deputised by Cllr Maphias Shumba (Ward 10) who won the post unopposed.
Councillors took their oath of office at Chegutu Town House before district administrator Mr Anyway Tomu who was being assisted by acting Town Clerk Mr Jacob Chikuruwo.
The councillors also set up the Audit, Finance and Administration, Environmental and Health and Housing Community Services committees.
The appointments of chairpersons of the committees was postponed to the next meeting.
Acting town clerk Mr Chikuruwo said councillors would start operating once inducted.
Combined Chegutu Residents Association chairperson Mr Moffart Tembo said the incoming council should “hit the ground running”.
“We have a pressing issue of clean portable water,” he said. “While we appreciate the metering project underway, we feel council should prioritise replacing burst pipes with the $1 million availed by Government.”
The proceedings were partly disrupted by drunk and rowdy MDC-Alliance supporters who were making noise which affected the smooth conduct of the mayoral elections.
Order was restored after they were ejected from the council chambers.
Online Reporter