Councillor Brian Kembo who was recently acquitted on charges of undermining the authority of President Emmerson Mnangagwa has been elected the new Mayor of Bindura.

His deputy is Tongai Jack.

Their election comes following the recalling of former mayor Carlos Tokyo and his deputy Nobert Dokotera by the MDC-T party.

Mr Tokyo was the councillor for Ward 5 while Mr Dokotera represented Ward 10.

The vacancies were declared by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo through a letter to Bindura Municipality.

The minister stated that following a letter from MDC-T indicating that the pair were expelled from the party and in terms of section 278 (1) of the Constitution as read with section 129 (1) (K) the two wards are vacant.

Acting town clerk Mr Kelton said acting on the letter, they called for a special council meeting to have election for the two posts.

“The election process went well and it was fair. We invited the district development coordinator Mr Richard Chipfuva to preside over the elections,” he said.

“Subsequently the structure of the organisation changes as the new mayor and his deputy were in various committees of council and we now have to look at the committees and restructure.”

Cllr Kembo beat Councillor Oliver Mukombwe after garnering six votes compared to four for Cllr Mukombwe.

“My first priority is to fight corruption in our local authority. I want to make sure there is improved service delivery in Bindura,” he said.

“Refuse collection, sewer and roads are our mandate. There are divisions along political lines, but we want to make sure that we work together and have a good working relationship for the betterment of our community and country. I look forward to a better working relationship with our management. We cannot run away from conflicts, but we must resolve them amicably. Gender-based violence is another area that we will look into and find ways to contribute to elimination of GBV. People with disabilities are also our priority.”

Kembo was recently acquitted after being charged with disorderly conduct for criticising President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s rule.

Kembo “allegedly stated that Mnangagwa is liable for causing the suffering that citizens are currently enduring”, the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said.

Bindura magistrate Maria Musika acquitted Kembo at the close of the prosecution case after his lawyer Idirashe Chikomba applied for discharge.