…as council moves in to elect new mayor
Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru-Former mayor and Ward 2 Councillor Josiah Makombe has bid farewell to the Gweru community in a press statement released on January 10, putting to rest speculations about his recall on December 10 2021 by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T.
In the statement, Makombe outlined how he managed to work hand in hand with residents of Gweru in driving development during his tenure.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce my removal from the office of the mayor of the city of Gweru as well as the president of Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) through a recall by MDCT led by Douglas Togarasei Mwonzora.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank all residents of ward 2, which comprises the following suburbs: Athlone, Riverside, and Josiah Tungamirai Air base, Harben Park, Greenville, Windsorpark, Coolmooreen and Lingfield.
“Thank you so much for your support. You trusted and gave me the opportunity to serve you as councillor as well as the Mayor of our city. I would also want to thank all the residents and stakeholders of Gweru for giving me the opportunity and support during my tenure as your Mayor,” read the statement.
Makombe added that his vision towards building the city managed to bear fruits.
“I promised zero tolerance to corruption at Gweru City Council and I did my best to deal with that. I also promised to deal with the water crisis in our city, measures and mechanisms were put in place by enhancing our pumping capacity at Gwenhoro and Whitewaters. We still have water challenges but the necessary equipment to deal with the problem was secured.
“We also dealt with our roads challenges and during my tenure we managed to buy some equipment which we did not have. Some of the equipment was delivered and some are yet to be delivered. We bought a backhoe loader which was delivered and a tractor, tipper truck that are yet to be delivered. On health matters we managed to procure an ambulance and a lot of equipment to assist in the cleaning of our city. The city is once again clean though a lot still needs to be done.
“As a local authority we were struggling with resources, we had to restructure some of our operations so that they can become viable. I spearheaded the creation of Gweru city parking company which has brought order in our CBD as well as more revenue generation. Within its first six months of operation, we managed to procure the backhoe loader using our share of that revenue,” he wrote.
Highlighting part of his philanthropic work, Makombe said through the Mayor’s fund managed to change the welfare of the vulnerable members of the community.
“Through the mayor’s fund, we managed to use the proceeds to benefit orphans and less privileged children to go to school. More than 100 children from all levels benefited and they will continue to further their education.
“Our elderly and those leaving with disabilities, yearly will get Christmas hampers. I want to thank the business community and all those who donated to this noble cause. Nationally, my philanthropic work was recognized by the International Institute of Philanthropy in partnership with the Women’s university by giving me a Doctorate,” he added.
Last week through his lawyers Nqobani Sithole, Makombe opened a perjury case against Mwonzora in which he said the party leader together with party secretary-general, Paurina Mpariwa jointly lied under oath in a case before the Bulawayo High Court where the MDC-T leaders claimed they had not recalled him from office.
Gweru City Council has set the elective date for a new mayor to January 11, 2022, with the mayor expected to take over and lead the city until the upcoming 2023 general.
Some of the candidates expected to be running for the position are ward 18 councillor, John Manyundwa, Ward 1 Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi and Ward 9 councillor Edson Kurebgasekwa.
