Mayoral candidate headache for Kadoma
THE newly elected MDC-Alliance-led Kadoma City Council has been thrown into disarray owing to a lack in councillors qualified to take up the mayoral post.
Some of those interested in filling the post lack the basic educational qualifications to hold the esteemed position, leaving the race open to at least three councillors.
The race pits Alderman Action Nyamukondiwa and new entrant Councillor Nigel Rozario, while Clr Tendai Kokera (Ward 6) is reportedly uncontested for the deputy mayor’s post.
Clr Nyamukondiwa yesterday confirmed harbouring ambitions for the top council post.
“l confirm that I am one of those eyeing the Kadoma mayoral post,” he said.
“As far as I know, there is also one other councillor who has submitted curriculum vitae for that position.
“This is my third tenure, which means I now have more experience in local government issues. As for the deputy mayor’s post, l am sure it’s one person who submitted papers, but l cannot divulge the name.”
An MDC-Alliance official in the city said it was only councillors Rozario and Kokera who were eyeing the mayor’s and deputy’s positions, respectively.
Sources within the party told The Herald that infighting and divisions had since emerged over the mayoral post.
“The party’s most preferred candidates were Ward 2 councillor Michael Gore and Kokera, but both do not have five Ordinary Levels, hence the party was left divided over whom to appoint, thereby forcing the party to cast it’s net wider,” said the source.
“Only a few councillors, including Nyamukondiwa and Rozario, had better education qualifications, leaving them well placed for the post. As of Councillor Kokera who was uncontested for the deputy mayoral post, it is a token to console her.”
Added the source: “It is not a secret within the party that she (Clr Kokera) has been desperately aiming for that post using her alleged links to top officials within the party’s Presidium.”
Investigations by The Herald have established that most councillors lacked educational qualifications.