Gweru (New Ziana) -Businessman Hamutendi Kombayi on Tuesday bounced back as Gweru Mayor after he defeated Ward 3 councilor Martin Chivhoko by eleven votes to three in an election to replace ex-Mayor Josiah Makombe.
Gweru District Development Coordinator Mbeya Nyede presided over the election, in which one vote was spoiled.
Makombe, who is the Zimbabwe Urban Councils Association president, was recalled at the end of last year by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC-T which accused him of aligning with the Nelson Chamisa led MDC-Alliance.
Kombayi is son to the late businessman and former Gweru mayor Patrick Kombayi.
He first served as mayor from 2013 to 2017 before he was fired by former Local Government and Public Works Minister Saviour Kasukuwere for alleged incompetence.
Kombayi expressed gratitude to his fellow councilors for showing confidence in him and called for unity in the city.
“I call upon all stakeholders to work together for the city,” he said.
His election did not go without incident as there were allegations of vote buying and imposition of candidates in the run up to the poll.
“Hamu (Kombayi) was imposed by the MDC-T national executive which came to conduct primary elections after he hosted a dinner for them last night,” said one disgruntled councilor who declined to be named for fear of victimisation.
“Members of the national executive also attended these elections to make sure that he is elected otherwise there would be more recalls. They were bribed.”
New Ziana