THE councillor who was elected by the toss of a coin, Sarah Rambuda, was sworn in as the new mayor of Mutale last Tuesday.
During the municipal election of 2011, Rambuda and her opposition candidate, received the same number of votes. The matter of who should be given the seat was resolved by having a coin tossed, a recommendation reportedly made by the IEC.
Rambuda’s inaugeration followed after the previous mayor, Josephine Mukwevho, was recalled by the ANC some two weeks ago.
Rambuda hails from Ha-Rambuda near Lake Fundudzi. Previously she was the municipal corporate services head.
During her acceptance speech, Rambuda promised residents quality service delivery, including the regravelling of roads that had been washed away by floods, the supply of clean water, and sanitation. To this end, she said the municipality had bought at least two graders to help in the re-gravelling of roads, and old and leaking waterpipes were being replaced with the assistance of the Vhembe District Municipality as the municipal water authority.
“We must roll up our sleeves and work with our people to drive our developmental agenda. I will listen to all our people and other stakeholders who stand to benefit and who are willing to contribute to development,” she said.
Rambuda further said as mayor of a rural-based municipality, she would ensure the the continuous strengthening of the relationship with the traditional leaders so that implementation of service delivery also reached poor communities.
Rambuda also announced her executive committee. Ndavheleseni Lieba was announced as the head of finance, Gilbert Netshisaulu as head of technical services, and Tshifhiwa Raluswinga as head of corporate services
DA Mutale chairperson, Joseph Mariba warned Rambuda that unless she ensured the delivery of better service to residents, she would also get the boot.
Mariba said the DA was ready to work with Rambuda. He added that the DA understood that internal squabbles in the ANC in Vhembe region were behind the failure to deliver better services.
