Chegutu Mayor to seek re-election despite victimisation

By Lance Guma
31 January 2006

A month away from upcoming Mayoral elections countrywide, the incumbent Mayor of Chegutu, Francis Dhlakama has declared his intention to seek re-election. Persistent interference from Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo almost discouraged him from running but residents of the textile town have urged him to resist the bullying and run for office. Dhlakama says he has been to hell and back for the town and although his experiences have come the hard way, he is ready to serve the people once again.

The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission announced nomination courts would sit on Friday to receive candidates for the polls set for March this year. Dhlakama says he does not know the name of the candidates he will run against but remained confident the people had confidence in his administration. He complained of an environment of fear and intimidation saying he has struggled to find people brave enough to put their names behind his nomination.

He told Newsreel he was arrested by police last year merely on the back of anonymous letters which accused him of corruption and not going to tender for the purchase of a mayoral vehicle. Although he was dragged to court, the Attorney Generals Office refused to prosecute citing lack of evidence. The interference from local government was discouraging but at the same time it has made him stronger as a fighter for the people’s cause. He said all Chombo and his ministry spent their energy on was sabotaging efforts to deliver services to the people of Chegutu.