The council meeting which was to decide the successor to the recalled, Ian Makone, showcased the factional rifts within the CCC, with councillors openly clashing over their choice for the next mayor.
The session, which lasted nearly four hours, was marked by heated debates and intense disagreements among the councillors.
At the centre of the controversy was Ward 36 councillor, Lovejoy Chitengu, whose eligibility for the mayoral post was questioned due to a misspelling in his surname on the recall notice.
The typo, omitting the letter 'n' in Chitengu’s name, became a focal point in the debate over his candidature.
Despite the contentious atmosphere, the election proceeded under the interim chairmanship of Councillor Blessing Duma.
Chitengu ultimately emerged victorious; securing the mayoral seat with 35 votes against Councillor Temany Utete’s seven amid three spoiled ballots.
The deputy mayoral post was also fiercely contested, culminating in Councillor Rosemary Muronda's win with 38 votes, compared to Councillor Susan Chuma's seven.
The council chambers were reportedly teetering on the edge of chaos as a section of CCC councillors vocally opposed the alleged directive from CCC leader, Nelson Chamisa endorsing Simon Mapanzure for the mayorship.
Their dissent echoed the sentiment that Chamisa, not being a Harare councillor, should not dictate the mayoral selection. This disagreement almost degenerated into a physical altercation, highlighting the deep divisions within that party.
Chitengu has since taken the oath of office. In his inaugural address, Chitengu acknowledged the tumultuous backdrop of his election and committed to addressing the myriad challenges and expectations of his new role.
"The election process, though fraught with debate and dissent, reflects the dynamic nature of our democratic processes," said Mayor Chitengu.
Meanwhile, this recent electoral episode in Harare's City Council not only underscores the internal strife within the CCC but also poses questions about that party's ability to manage dissent and foster a cohesive approach to governance.
