Race for mayoral post

Masvingo Bureau
Fissures in the beleaguered MDC-T in Masvingo are set to widen amid reports that at least three party bigwigs and a former journalist are reportedly tussling for the mayoral position in the country’s oldest town.Sources in the party yesterday said there was intense jockeying and behind the scenes manoeuvrings by four candidates who have lined up to fill the coveted post.

MDC-T lost all the 26 National Assembly seats in Masvingo to Zanu-PF and party bigwigs were reportedly angling to fill the post of mayor in the city council where the opposition party won six wards out of 10 with the remainder going to Zanu-PF. Topping the list of those reportedly positioning themselves for the Masvingo mayoral seat is outgoing mayor Alderman Femius Chakabuda who is also the MDC-T provincial treasurer.

MDC-T Masvingo provincial chairman Mr Wilstaf Sitemere is also said to be interested in the mayoral job and the party’s former Masvingo district chairman Mr David Charirwe. Journalist-cum-politician Mr Energy Bara who lost elections in Ward 1 to Cde Garcia Mundondo of Zanu-PF is also eyeing the mayoral post.

“Of course I am interested in becoming the mayor of Masvingo. If my colleagues choose me to be the mayor, I will definitely take up the post,’’ said Mr Bara.