Byo councillors to select mayor

BULAWAYO newly-elected councillors, all 29 from the MDC-T, are set to convene next week to select a mayor.

BULAWAYO newly-elected councillors, all 29 from the MDC-T, are set to convene next week to select a mayor, amid reports that some returning councillors and a prominent lawyer are eyeing the post.

Nqobile Bhebhe

Council sources this week revealed that councillors were scheduled to meet next Wednesday and will on Friday elect a new mayor.

James Sithole, Clayton Zana and Earnest Rafamoyo are said to have shown keen interest in the position, although the party is said to favour the election of Kucaca Phulu, who did not contest in the elections.

On Tuesday, Phulu confirmed that he was still focused on landing the post.

“Yes, am still interested,” he confirmed. “I applied for the position, but the party (MDC-T) has procedure.

“I am waiting for the decision from the party and that of councillors as you are aware that councillors are the ones who elect a mayor and that person could be from within or outside.”

Councillors said they waited for the party’s decision on who to elect as mayor and deputy.

Zana, who was last week re-elected, laughed off suggestions that he was vying for the post.

“That is for the party to decide,” he said.

“We have not received any communication on when we will have our first sitting.”