Staff Reporter

The jostle for Harare's mayoral position has reached crescendo with a clique led by Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Secretary to the Organising Department, Farai Chinobva orchestrating a plan to ensure the re-election of Jacob Mafume as the Mayor of Harare.

Mafume will battle it out with Ward 18 councillor, Ian Makone and Ward 28 councillor, George Mujajati, both widely recognised as strong contenders for the post.

According to a trusted source within the CCC, Mafume approached Chinobva with a proposal to secure him re-election as mayor, and in exchange, Chinobva would be offered a coveted seat on one of Harare City Council's boards. Such a position, it's believed, would come with substantial sitting allowances and other financial incentives.

However, this alleged plan does not end there. The same source revealed that Chinobva might be plotting a strategy to tarnish the reputation of Ian Makone, a favourite of the CCC's leader, Nelson Chamisa.

By discrediting Makone, the aim is to dissuade councillors from voting him into the coveted mayoral position.

An intriguing cultural element has also come to light in this political puzzle. It is reported that both Chinobva and Mafume hail from the same area in Masvingo, adding a potential kinship-based motive to the unfolding political drama.

"Chinobva informed Mafume of his efforts to sway Chamisa's attitude on Makone. The goal is clear: make Chamisa rescind his support for Makone," the insider revealed.

Political analyst, Webster Hedegwe said that the stakes were high in Harare's political arena. He added that as the city stands at a crucial juncture of governance and leadership, it was apparent that personal ambitions and behind-the-scenes machinations might be overshadowing the broader interests of Harare's residents.

"Moreover, there are whispers of financial transactions between various CCC councillors and Chamisa. These allegations suggest that some councillors have paid sizable amounts in a bid to garner Chamisa's endorsement for the mayoral position, further complicating the political landscape,” added Hedegwe.

As Harare's political plot thickens, the city waits with bated breath for the final announcement of its next mayor. The days ahead promise intense political manoeuvring, and the CCC will need to make decisions that prioritise the interests of Harare residents above all else.