Minister Mliswa –Chikoka slammed for stooping low after opting to be a mere councilor
By Staff Writer
POLITICAL activists and members of the public have criticized Minister Mary Mliswa –Chikoka for going so low to accept a junior position of ward councilor amid calls for her to be patient until the turbulent waters have settled.
Mliswa-Chikoka, who recently lost in Zanu PF parliamentary primary elections, this week filed her curriculum vitae (CV) for consideration as Hurungwe Rural District councillor courtesy of the newly-introduced women’s quota.
She was also serving as the Minister of State for Mashonaland West Provincial Affairs and Devolution.
The new system is designed to increase the number of female politicians in the male-dominated lower-tier devolved government structure.
The outgoing Hurungwe West MP becomes the latest high-profile sitting legislator to swallow her pride and submit her name to contest for councillorship.
The minister surrendered her party rights to retain the parly seat to little-known but seasoned activist, Chinjai Kambuzuma via an election result that shocked the body politick.
But commenting on social media, one reader said Mliswa-Chikoka had become too desperate.
“This political desperation that lacks some bit of social and moral intelligence. Why not go into the political wilderness to restrategize for a comeback, unless there was patronage election or elevation, like Mary was just parachuted from Saint Elsewhere into the Province when originally they hails from Masvingo province, even though, she added a lot of value to Mash West Province, having learnt at Chinhoyi High school.
The respondent said Mary was hardworking for real, very approachable adding that, “ It is my prayer that she leaves the Councillorship and wait because even the President knows she is a hard worker, you never know, she might be given her Mash West province back by being invited as a Non constituency MP. My Mary should have waited she can’t go below where she was.”
Another reader described Mary as someone who has now become a career politician who cannot stomach defeat.
“Shame may be she is career politician who doesn’t have other occupation anywhere else. Rumours has it that when she was mauled by her side during the primaries she spent almost two week without coming to work,” the post said.
Another reader said Mary’s decision is not the best as she should have waited much longer.
“My thinking is she shouldn’t be desperate to going that low coz the already inculcated political professional posture has been set at serving at national level. No no no she should have waited until after elections in August,” added the reader.
