Former Minister Eyes Mayoral Post; Contesting As Councilor

Former Cabinet Minister Dr Henry Madzorera, will this year represent the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) as a council candidate in the forthcoming August 23 General elections.

Dr Madzorera, who served as Minister of Health and Childcare during the Government of National Unity(GNU) from 2009 to 2013  will contest in Kwekwe’s Ward 10.

In an interview, Madzorera said  being a Councilor is more important  than being a  Minister or a Senator.

“Most people think that from being a senator to a councillor is a climbdown but actually, being a councillor is a more important job than being a senator and being a National Assembly Member. As councillors we deal with issues which are really affecting people. We have a real budget to run as councillors, we have real lives to look after, we have real roads, real water and sewer situations to fix. We have people’s health care, we deal with social welfare issues, all those  things are on the shoulders of the councillors. It’s a much  more important job,” Dr Madzorera said.

He added that the nation needed to cast salient attention on local authorities, as they are the ones who cater for the livelihoods of the common people.

“If you are to look at the Kwekwe City Council budget you might realise that the budget may be similar or may be more than another ministry and so it’s a serious responsibility and as Zimbabweans we must start to take local governments seriously and give it the seriousness it deserves because that’s where the people are,” he said.

He also said that fighting corruption would be his key focus area if elected.

“Our president Nelson Chamisa is committed to creating a corruption free council that delivers on the mandate it was elected for by the people and I must give him all the respect for personally looking into the local authorities and deciding on the calibre of the candidate so that we can deliver. We don’t want corruption. It’s not business as usual. We cannot continue on the same mantra while giving fertilizer to corruption. We have enough money to run these councils.

Madzorera also promised efficient service delivery if elected.

“What we can promise as a party is service delivery. We are looking at health care. Our clinics and hospitals are now empty shells. We promise good service delivery. Why can’t we build proper roads in the cities, it’s all corruption, we have seen some tenders being given to some companies without any know-how or without any engineer. I have  to commend Kwekwe on the delivery of water. However, there are many other areas in which Kwekwe has been weak, and we need to strengthen those.”

The move by Dr Madzorera to contest as a Councillor has been described by others as a shrewd decision as this gives him an opportunity to run for a mayoral post if elected.