Mafume floors MDC-T candidate to become Harare City Mayor

MDC Alliance nominee Jacob Mafume on Thursday emerged victorious in the Harare Mayoral elections, edging MDC-T nominee Luckson Mukunguma by 19 votes to 14.

There was one spoilt ballot when Harare City councillors met to choose Hebert Gomba’s successor.

In his acceptance speech, Mafume paid tribute to residents and councillors for the vote of confidence, promising to deliver on his mandate.

The elections came as the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T recalled Gomba and five councillors last week insisting they had ceased to be members of the MDC.

MDC-T secretary general Douglas Mwonzora said he derived the authority to recall the councillors basing on the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe judgement in SC 56/20.

On Thursday, the odds appeared heavily staked against Mafume with councillors risking recall to vote him into office.

Mafume’s nomination was riding on his affiliation to People’s Democratic Party (PDP) – an MDC Alliance key coalition partner.

It’s standing prevents the Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T from instituting recalling measures as they did with Gomba.

It, however, leaves MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa with no dog in the fight.

Mafume will likely protect the interests of former PDP supremo and MDC Alliance vicepresident Tendai Biti who harbours ambitions to take over MDC Alliance presidency from Nelson Chamisa.

Mafume’s ascendancy to Harare Mayor would provide Biti with an invaluable asset in the subtle factional wars obtaining in the MDC Alliance.

Harare has been led by MDC councils since the turn of the millennium.