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NewsDay

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Mayor pleads for another term

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Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda has asked the next council to reappoint him so he could complete unfinished business in the city. The mayor said once reappointed, he would strive to provide clean potable water to residents and bring back the city’s sunshine status. For the past decade, Harare’s image has been blighted by shortage of […]

Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda has asked the next council to reappoint him so he could complete unfinished business in the city.

The mayor said once reappointed, he would strive to provide clean potable water to residents and bring back the city’s sunshine status.

For the past decade, Harare’s image has been blighted by shortage of water, burst sewer pipes and uncollected garbage.

“I will bow out of the equation, but if the new crop of councillors choose me to represent them, I will consider the offer because there are still a lot of things that need to be accomplished,” Masunda said.

“I wouldn’t want to serve more than two terms lest I be accused of suffering from the handiende (I won’t go) syndrome that has taken root in Zimbabwe politics and other areas where we see people refusing to vacate posts.”

Masunda, who is also the United Cities and Local Governance co-vice-president said he still had a lot of unresolved matters with Local Government, Rural and Urban Development minister Ignatius Chombo.

“I am proud of the profile I have made to put Zimbabwe on the map internationally. Everyone thinks 2013 is the right year for elections and my main goal together with the current crop of councillors is water.

“It was not easy in the last three years. I have given my best shot, but it has been tough,” he said. Masunda said Harare water woes could only be resolved once the Kunzvi Dam project had been completed.

The multi-million-dollar project has been on the drawing board since the pre-independence era amid reports of inadequate resources to roll it out. Masunda said council and Old Mutual would next year jointly build 1 500 housing units in Budiriro and other suburbs.

He said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation that poured $5 million towards construction of houses in Dzivarasekwa area will come in January to make assessments of that project.