The stage has been set in Mabelreign ward 16 for the council by-election, where a candidate from Zanu PF and an independent candidate are squaring off to replace the late Lancelot Mudavanhu, who passed on in July this year.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The ruling party is being represented by Spencer Mabeka, who has vowed to take Mabelreign back to its glory days, while attacking the MDC-T for running down council.
The 37-year-old politician said he was inspired to run on a Zanu PF ticket, as he was pained by the level of damage caused by the MDC-T in Mabelreign and surrounding areas.
“Mabelreign was quite beautiful when I moved here in 1995 because everything was in order. Service delivery was good, the roads were beautiful and residents had access to water,” he said.
“This changed in 2000 when the MDC took control of council. Service delivery became poor and this has been affecting residents.
“I was inspired to run for council to improve service delivery because I know what needs to be done in the ward. I grew up in the area and I know we cannot expect people to come from other areas to improve our own community,” he said.
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The aspiring candidate said his plan for ward 16 was to form a developmental committee to improve the water situation and train youths on self-help projects.
However, Mabeka’s rival, Peter Manjoro, who runs a consultancy firm, said his experience in civic affairs made him the right candidate to represent the ward.
“I have been involved in civic affairs for a long time. I am a former member of the Combined Harare Residents’ Association, where I participated in the formulation of the organisation’s strategic plan from 2002 to 2007. Currently, I am the chairperson for Ashdown Park Residents’ Association and have been in the committee since 2000,” he said.
Manjoro said he had the charisma and was a “hands-on” person who made things possible.
