THE first councillors for Gokwe town were sworn-in on Tuesday at a colourful ceremony during which Ward 4 councillor, Mr Darlington Mudondo, was elected the first town chairperson.
Councillor Vengesai Chipfuko was elected vice-chairperson.
Six councillors, all from the MDC-T party were sworn in by Gokwe South District Administrator, Mrs Melody Mafukidze at the town’s community hall.
Acting Town Secretary, Mr Tapiwa Marongwe facilitated and administered the occasion.
The new council is faced with the challenge of constructing roads at the town centre and ensuring that the town has a reliable water supply.
Clr Mudondo acknowledged the challenges and promised that his council would take these up after consulting with the town’s senior residents and the business community.
“We want to use a different approach in developing this town. We will first consult the senior residents and the business people so that they tell us what projects should be given priority. Our biggest challenge is that of water and roads at our town centre,” he said.
Clr Mudondo said the other challenge was that of revenue as the town was coming from a background of a ward within the Gokwe South Rural District Council.
“We need to come up with ways of generating revenue without necessarily over-burdening our residents. The council needs to complete the new bus terminus with speed so that we can generate income from it. There is also need to improve some of our housing infrastructure since some of the houses are basically rural in outlook,” he said.

Clr Mudondo called on the residents in the town and the business community to put aside political differences and work for the development of the town.

“We need to work together as a family regardless of party affiliation. People should be united in civic issues for a country to develop and prosper,” he said.

Gokwe attained town status last year in July.

Most projects had been at a standstill because there was no council to either adopt a budget or implement it.