BRRA welcomes new councillor

The Borrowdale Ratepayers and Residents Association (BRRA) has welcomed Rufaro Matsika as the new Ward 18 Councillor.

Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter

Councillor Matsika, a resident of Greystone Park, was recently elected as the new Ward 18 representative in council.

BRRA chairperson Mr Robert Mutyasira said that he had the privilege of meeting and discussing the residents’ association’s vision and priorities with Cllr Matsika, who is well-appraised and informed about the situation in Ward 18.

Cllr Matsika has wasted no time in addressing the needs of the community. She has already started working on restoring street lights and facilitating the patching of potholes on some roads.

Mr Mutyasira said the residents’ body believes that the election of Cllr Matsika will lead to significant social transformation and restore confidence in the City of Harare, which has been criticised for neglecting its responsibilities to residents.

“We look forward to major social transformations that will reignite the glamour of our beautiful neighbourhoods as well as confidence in the local authority that had, for many years, abrogated its responsibilities to residents.

“From a gender perspective, the BRRA expects that Councillor Matsika’s election will enhance the representation of women’s interests and advance their concerns,” said Mr Mutyasira.

He said the BRRA pledges its unwavering support to Cllr Matsika and expresses confidence that she will effectively represent the residents’ interests for the next four years.

Cllr Matsika and Cllr Abdurrahman Sapa (Ward 5 Harare Central Constituency) both from the ruling Zanu PF party were duly elected following the High Court’s nullification of the nomination of 23 recalled CCC council and National Assembly candidates in last weekend’s by-elections.

In a statement, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) chief elections officer, Mr Utloile Silaigwana said candidates from the ruling Zanu PF party in five wards remained were the only duly nominated after the High Court upheld a challenge by CCC interim secretary general Mr Sengezo Tshabangu to bar the recalled candidates from participating in the by-elections.

Former Harare Mayor Mr Ian Makone (Ward 18) and Mr Gwenzi Samuel (former Ward 5 councillor) had initially been nominated under the CCC ticket for the by-elections.