By Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru City Council recently sworn in four proportional representative (PR) councilors nominated to replace the previous group that was recalled last year by Citizens Coalition for Change’s self-imposed Secretary General Sengezo Tshabangu.
The newly sworn-in councilors are, Holly Dzuda, Violet Mutusva, Patience Mujere and Eustina Fidze, all under the PR replacing the recalled ones namely, Sipiwe Kundiona, Mirriam Magaya, Ronah Masocha and Olivia Chakauya.
Speaking at the swearing-in ceremony, Gweru Mayor, Martin Chivhoko urged the new councilors to serve the community with dedication.
“Gweru is our home together, welcome and we hope that going forward you will make Gweru a better home.
“Residents are our employers, we are here to work together and serve them. Whatever problems you face we will work together to build our city,”said Chivhoko.
Gweru City former councilor Alderman Trust Chineni urged the newly sworn in councilors to put politics aside and focus on development to push the city forward.
Chineni said governance issues required dedication and commitment towards growing the city and the call came at a time when council was grappling with water challenges.
The situation is said to be a result of obsolete infrastructure resulting in incessant pipe bursts, power outages affecting pumping capacity and rapid urban expansion, among other factors.
“When elected, governance is different, give ideas to better our city and service delivery, when you are elected into an office or public office politics comes later, you are mandated to serve the people.
“We wish our councillors to remain united and address service delivery issues, we have issues which affect women a lot, issues of water, refuse collection, so we hope now that we have a number of women councillors these issues will be addressed,” he said.
