MDC-T councillors celebrate govt's decision on mayors

MDC-T councillors' elects yesterday celebrated Government instruction that mayors should be chosen from elected councillors amid renewed jostling by councillors for the post.

Four re-elected councillors, Mr Earnest Rafamoyo of Ward 20, who was disqualified by Mr 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 frontrunner for the post.

Initially, party leader Mr Morgan Tsvangirai had imposed National University of Science and technology lecturer Dr Mandla Nyathi as Mayor.

Mr Tsvangirai reportedly had a harsh exchange of words with senior party member Dr Samuel Sipepa Nkomo after the later openly expressed disapproval of Dr Nyathi.

In interviews yesterday councillors said the Government had given them a chance to "democratically" choose a mayor.

"We were not going to vote for Dr Nyathi anyway. This gives us a chance to choose who we want. I think it will be a close contest between MK Moyo and Sithole because they are the most educated. The other two, Rafamoyo and Ndhlovu may make up for their relative lack of education by campaigning strongly among councillors. 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 councilors have already started canvassing for our votes," said one of the councillors.

One 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.

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 for the constitutional provision on election of Mayors. The constitution put it broadly and we are now waiting for legislation to narrow it down. As a province, we will not make arrangements to choose another mayor. Dr Nyathi is our choice. At the end of the day, legislation will guide us," said Mr Sibanda.

The provincial stance would seem to contradict the position of the national leadership, after national spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora on Thursday revealed that the party had provisionally chosen Mr Manyenyenye as Harare mayor and Mr Philip Mutoti as mayor for Chitungwiza in apparent anticipation of losing the battle to elect mayors who had not been voted into council.

MDC-T youths have reportedly written a petition questioning the party's internal democratic systems and processes, including the imposition of mayoral candidates.