by Christopher Makaza

Distressed MDC Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa has been lambasted by the opposition party`s elected councillors for trying to impose mayoral candidates in various cities instead of letting them exercise their right to democratically elect their mayors.

The councillors have since defied Chamisa`s directive to elect his preferred candidates for the prestigious post and have resolved to elect mayors of their choice.

Harare Post has learnt that Bulawayo councillors resolved to vote for ward 26 councillor, Norman Hlabano instead of ward 23 councillor Solomon Mguni who was being backed by Chamisa. Chamisa allegedly had issued the directive through Provincial Assembly Organising Secretary, James Sithole for the councillors to vote for Mguni.

Relatedly, MDC Alliance councillors in Masvingo City Council totally defied Chamisa`s directive to vote for his preferred candidate, Godfrey Kurauone of ward 4. The councillors instead voted for MDC Alliance ward 2 councillor Collin Maboke and Zanu PF councillor Wellington Mahwende as Mayor and Deputy Mayor respectively. Chamisa had reportedly selected ward 1 councillor, Selina Maridza to be Deputy Mayor.

Mahwende`s election seems to be a deliberate sabotage from the disgruntled MDC Alliance councillors considering that Masvingo City Council is dominated by opposition councillors where three out of ten councillors are from Zanu PF.

Chamisa is also being accused by Chitungwiza councillors for influencing their mayoral elections where ward 22 councillor, Gift Tsverere was declared a winner. Like Masvingo, some MDC Alliance councillors in Chitungwiza also voted for a Zanu PF candidate in protest.

In Gweru, another Chamisa`s loyalist councillor Josiah Makombe was elected as the new mayor.

Chamisa`s interferences in the Mayoral elections is causing divisions and disgruntlement among MDC Alliance councillors and other interested parties.