GWANDA – A total of 44 newly-elected councillors took the oath of office following
their election during the just-ended August 23 harmonised elections.
The swearing in of both rural and urban councillors was conducted during the same
day, where Gwanda Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer, Ranga Sibanda,
presided over rural councillors while the urban councillors took their oaths of office
before the Town Clerk, Priscilla Nkala.
Gwanda Rural District Council has 24 wards of which 13 seats went to the ruling
party, three are independent while eight are from CCC.
Seven Female councillors were also sworn in under the Proportional Representation
(PR) and all the seven are from Zanu PF while opposition failed to nominate
candidates.
Similarly, they did the same thing with urban councillors. They again did not
nominate PR for the women’s quota while Zanu PF had its three representatives
sworn in.
Out of the 10 urban wards, the opposition had six of their councillors being sworn in
while the ruling party has four.
Three Zanu PF councillors went in unopposed, while the fourth one had a landslide
victory.
After taking the oath of office, the councillors went into an induction session, while
the date to choose the mayor, his deputy, the council chairperson and the vice was
set for a late date.
In separate interviews after the swearing in, the RDC CEO said the councillors are
guided by the Rural District Councils Act.
“As I congratulate the newly elected officer bearers, I would like to remind them to
always refer to their bible, which is the Rural District Council Act whenever they are
conducting their duties.
Secondly, in council, we focus on developing and do not delve into party politics,”
said the Sibanda.
On the other hand, Gwanda Town Clerk, Nkala said the event is provided for in
section 47(2) of Urban Councils Act, which states that councillors must be sworn in
by the Town Clerk before they start work.
However, Matabeleland South Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution,
Abedinico Ncube, urged councillors to work together as a formidable front.
“Now that you are all gathered here under one roof, my advice is that you must work
together for the development of Gwanda District and the province at large.
Let us not bring our political party jackets here, instead let us unite and work as one
people,” said Minister Ncube.
Ward 4 Councillor, Wellington Nare, said there is a mammoth task ahead of him as
his ward comprises the oldest location in town.
“I am here to serve the people who elected me into office although I have a
mammoth task ahead of me.
“I grew up in Jahunda Township, which is one of the oldest locations here in
Gwanda. During our days, we were using community toilets and unfortunately up to
today residents are still using the same toilets – 43 years after independence.
As a young and vibrant leader, I want to work towards developing my home town,”
said Nare.
Gwanda Rural Ward 19 Councillor, Andrew Ndlovu, said his duty is to work for the
people and for community development.
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