Bring back executive mayors, Govt urged
STAKEHOLDERS and residents in some of the country’s major cities and town have urged Government to reintroduce executive mayors for there to be significant development.
The plea was highlighted in the Local Government Elections Survey Report launched yesterday in the capital by Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association (Camera).
The survey was conducted in conjunction with Danish Church Aid between August and October last year in Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru, Mutare, Masvingo, Gweru and Chitungwiza.
The reported highlighted that one of the major issues affecting service delivery was the limited roles played by ceremonial mayors compared to executive ones.
Camera director Mr Marvellous Khumalo said the residents interviewed during the survey wanted to be involved in the selection of the executive mayors.
“According to the report respondents prefer executive mayors more than ceremonial ones, and these should be elected directly by the citizens and should have powers to recruit senior council officials,” he said.
“For example,ceremonial mayors can not respond to matters that need quick attention without a full council resolution. The office of the mayor is critical in the management of city affairs hence executive mayors are recommended to be ideal for the proper governance of huge urban areas.”