Martin Chivhoko

Service / Career

2018 - Elected to Gweru City Council.

2022 Mayor Elections

On 11 January 2022, Hamutendi Kombayi (Cllr Ward 1) was re-elected as Mayor of Gweru after beating Martin Chivhoko (Cllr Ward 4) in a secret ballot. He won by 11 votes to 4 with one spoiled paper. Clr Kombayi should be Mayor until the next general elections in 2023. Deputy Mayor would remain Clr Cleopas Shiri, who was acting Mayor. Clr Kombayi was previously Mayor from 2013 to 2017. Clr Josiah Makombe was elected mayor after the 2018 elections, before being recalled by the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T).

The elections were presided over by Gweru district development co-ordinator Mr Ndeya Nyede. Acting town clerk Mr Douglas Vakayi Chikwekwe said the elections were held in accordance with the law. ^{[1] [2]}

2023 Mayoral Election

Following the 23-24 August 2023 elections, in which CCC won 18 Wards, the election of Mayor is due to proceed. Incoming CCC councillors were;

• Mercy Mangwanya (Ward 1)
• Faith Chuma (Ward 2),
• Martin Chivhoko (re-elected Ward 4)
• Aaron Mumvana (Ward 5)
• Lovemore Choto (Ward 6)
• Marufu (Ward 7)
• Jackos Manyanga (Ward 8)
• Nyaradzo Madzikure (Ward 9)
• Admire Paradza (Ward 10)
• Kummirai Rutsvara (Ward 11)
• Augustine Mutusva (Ward 13)
• Danny Ndava (re-elected Ward 14).
• Munyaradzi Prosperity Chikwira (Ward 15)
• Phillimon Mawere (Ward 16)
• Norest Dzivakwe (Ward 17)
• William Mazango (Ward 18)

Zanu PF will have one representative Fortunate Mlambo.

CCC also took the majority of the Women’s quota councillors;

• Sipiwe Kundiona
• Miriam Magaya
• Ronah Masocha
• Olivia Chakauya

Former mayor Hamutendi Kombayi lost his council seat.

New Mayor candidates may include Martin Chivhoko (Ward 4 Councillor), with competition from CCC senator Mr Sesil Zvidzai’s wife Clr Girlie Zvidzai (Ward 3) and former mayor Tedious Chimombe (Ward 12). Former Mayor, now Gweru Urban MP Dr Josiah Makombe, and Mkoba North MP Amos Chibaya are expected to have influence in this election, as well as Party leader Nelson Chamisa.

Gweru Residents and Ratepayer Association (GRRA) director, Cornelius Selipiwe, urged CCC to conduct internal interviews to determine who the city’s next mayor becomes.

The challenge we might have is that those with money will end up winning even if they don’t have the qualities to be the mayor”. Selipiwe said it was unfortunate that the electorate just elected councillors because of a political party they belong to and not because of individual qualities.

Gweru spokesperson Ms Vimbai Chingwaramusee said the orientation date for the elected councillors hasn’t been set yet. ^[3]

On 15 September 2023, it was reported that Gweru Municipality elected Councillor Martin Chivhoko Mayor. ^[4]

Events

In October 2018, former town clerk Daniel Matawu and incumbent Elizabeth Gwatipedza were being paid for the same job due to a legal technicality. An extraordinary council meeting was held to deal with the matter after the new councillors, led by mayor Josiah Makombe, expressed concern about the arrangement. The salary is understood to be $6 000.

A committee (three councillors and two managers) was set up of former mayor Charles Chikozho, finance committee chair Martin Chivhoko, councillor Trust Chineni, finance director Edgar Mwedzi and human resources manager Jepson Nemusoso, to investigate the matter and report back within seven days. We intend to rope in a labour expert as well so that the matter of two people being paid for one post is put to rest.

Daniel Matawu was suspended and then fired in July 2016 by the Tsunga Mhangami commission. His dismissal followed recommendations by a board of inquiry appointed to probe allegations of corruption at Town House, which found him guilty on 15 counts of gross incompetence and neglect of duties.

Daniel Matawu challenged his dismissal at the Bulawayo High Court and Justice Nicholas Mathonsi ruled in his favour in March 2018 and ordered his reinstatement. But the local authority had already hired Elizabeth Gwatipedza to fill the post, leading into a gentleman’s agreement that ensured Daniel Matawu would just get his salary despite not coming to work. ^[5]