Glen Norah councillor and one of the longest-serving city
fathers in Harare, Herbert Gomba, is now tipped to land the capital city’s
mayoral post after receiving support from residents’ groups, MDC Alliance
structures and fellow councillors, The Standard has learnt.
Gomba, who has served as councillor for 10 years and lost
the deputy mayoral post to the late Thomas Muzuwa in 2013, is tipped to take
over the mayoral position left by Bernard Manyenyeni, who did not seek
re-election.
“He did well in the interviews and many, including
residents’ groups, think it is time Harare was run by a councillor from
high-density suburbs,” a senior MDC-T official said.
MDC-T secretary-general Douglas Mwonzora said without
mentioning a name, that party president Nelson Chamisa on Wednesday briefed the
national council on the issue and stated that three names had been
short-listed.
“We hope by next week, we would have narrowed down the list
from three to one. The president informed the meeting of the same and the
matter was receiving the highest attention,” Mwonzora said.
Another source said although Gomba was the favourite to
land the post, former chief adviser to the late MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai,
Ian Makone, was also in the mix although residents and some party officials are
opposed to his candidature.
Makone won ward 18, which includes Borrowdale, Borrowdale
Brooke, Crowhill, Glen Lorne, Philadelphia and Hogerty Hill.
“Many view him as elitist. His political standing is not so
clear,” the source said.
The three who were short-listed, according to sources, also
include outgoing deputy mayor Enock Mupamawonde, who also stands a chance.
As for deputy mayor, lawyer and People’s Democratic Party
spokesperson Jacob Mafume is being tipped to get the post. Standard
0 comments:
Post a Comment