Ndlovu wants to change Gwanda

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GWANDA businessman and cattle rancher Knowledge Ndlovu (Zanu PF) has promised to change the face of the resource-rich town after he was elected mayor.

GWANDA businessman and cattle rancher Knowledge Ndlovu (Zanu PF) has promised to change the face of the resource-rich town after he was elected mayor last week. ALBERT NCUBE OWN CORRESPONDENT Ndlovu, a ward three councillor, would be deputised by Albert Ndlovu, a Zanu PF councillor for Ward 10.

The new mayor bounced back into council during the July 31 harmonised elections after a stint as councillor between 2005 and 2008. He is leading a Zanu PF-dominated council as his party has seven councillors, MDC-T has two and MDC has one.

“It is now time to work and fulfil the promises we made during the campaign period,” Ndlovu said.

“I want to thank the people of Gwanda and Matabeleland South for believing in Zanu PF. We won’t sit back, but work hard and develop the town.”

He urged fellow councillors not to lose touch with the people.

Ndlovu (44) was born in Insiza and went to Mt Cazalet Primary School before proceeding to Gwanda High School for “O” Levels.

He landed his first job at Lonrho Motor Industries in Bulawayo as a fitter and turner in the engineering research and manufacturing department.

He runs Sisonke and T&G butcheries and conducts mining.

The new mayor and his team have a daunting task ahead of them as they are inheriting a council battling to motivate workers who have not been receiving their salaries on time.

Council officials said the situation was worsened by the government’s directive to all local authorities to cancel residents’ outstanding debts in the run-up to the elections.

Meanwhile, Gwanda residents have urged the mayor to immediately tackle water shortages facing high-lying areas of Spitzkop and Ultra-High suburbs.

Spitzkop and Ultra-High residents who spoke to the Southern Eye said they go for fortnight periods without running — water a situation that may lead to an outbreak of diseases.

“We urge the new mayor and councillors to quickly tackle the water problem which has seen many people resorting to using the bush to relieve themselves.

“This may soon lead to an outbreak of diseases especially during the rainy season,” Thembinkosi Moyo of Ultra-High, said.

A five-megalitre water reservoir is under construction at Spitzkop suburb and is set to bring an end the water problems once completed.

Some residents urged the new mayor to ensure the local authority rehabilitates the town’s roads as many of them have become littered with potholes.

“There is need for roads to be upgraded as many people have acquired vehicles which will not last long on current roads,” Memory Ncube of Jahunda township, said.

“There should also be an alternative road to town to avoid congestion.”

Residents also want council to step control of mosquitos up in the town and prevent the spread of malaria.

In the past, calls to control pests had fallen on deaf ears with the municipality maintaining the mosquito breed found in Gwanda was harmless as it did not cause malaria.