…as Chiwara concedes defeat, congratulates winner
Beverly Bizeki
The newly elected Zanu PF councilor for ward 2 Benson Hwata said his victory in the December 9 by-election was not a walk in the park considering the fact that it was an opposition stronghold and its leadership was determined to retain the seat.
Hwata defeated former councilor and Mayor Shan- tiel Chiwara with 27 votes af-
ter garnering 612 votes and Shantiel got 585 votes. The other two candidates, Frank Chirairo, a CCC member who contested as independent pol- led 143 votes while another CCC candidate, former Councilor Roki Kamuzonda got 90 votes.
Speaking to TellZim News, Hwata said though it was not easy, he was glad that he managed to pull through and will now work to fulfill his election promises to residents who entrusted him to lead.
“Our victory was not easy, my opponents who are from the opposition were also working and campaigning in the ward with their leadership so it was not an easy one. However, I sailed through and want to thank the residents for trusting me. I promise that I won’t let them down,” said Hwata
He attributed his win to the party support and being there for residents when there was need without looking at whether its election time or not.
“I think being with people and valuing them all the time helped me win the election. I have been in the ward way before and have been helping people in a number of ways not as a campaign tool but out of love for the people. So I think that is why they have decided to give me a chance to lead them.
“Now that I have been elected, I want to fulfill my promises chief among them being water provision to make sure residents get water especially in Runyararo West and improving drainage system,” said Hwata.
For the first time in 23 years, Zanu PF managed to win ward 2 of Masvingo City Council in the December 9 by elections with Hwata winning the seat after two unsuccessful attempts.
Hwata contested in 2013 and lost to Shantiel’s Father James Chiwara who went on to become deputy mayor before losing again to Shantiel in August 2023.
In her message to ward 2 citizens in one of the ward’s many WhatsApp platforms, Shantiel congratulated Hwata and called upon youngsters to get involved in civic education no matter which political party they belong to for a better understanding of their environment.
“Congratulations to those who made it. Let us help each other take our community to the next level. I call upon the youngsters to get involved in civic education no matter which movement you belong to so that we can all get a better understanding of our environment looking in to a better future for everyone.
“Involved or not involved it affects us at the end of each day. Hazvisi zvevanhu vakuru chete (it is not only for adults). I hope I served as an inspiration to a few of us to show that we can (participate in politics) as young people,” said Chiwara.
