By A Correspondent

The controversy surrounding the appointment of the Bikita Rural District Council (RDC) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in Masvingo Province is escalating, as Zanu PF hardliners, particularly councillors, vow to replace the newly appointed Archibald Ncube.

Despite Ncube assuming the role of CEO last week, a group of Zanu PF-aligned councillors is determined to remove him from office. They argue that the process for selecting the new CEO was flawed and that the best candidate for the position was Arnold Mtuke, who had served as the acting CEO.

During the interviews for the CEO position, councillors claim that Mtuke scored the highest marks, proving his competency to lead the district. They further contend that his performance, both during his time as acting CEO and throughout the interview process, made him the ideal candidate.

“We believe Arnold Mtuke should have been appointed the substantive CEO,” one councillor said. “His performance, both as acting CEO and in the interviews, was exemplary, and he clearly stood out.”

The councillors are now pushing for Mtuke’s appointment, claiming that a resolution had been passed in which they formally recommended him as the best candidate for the position. They feel that this recommendation was overlooked in favor of Ncube, who they argue was not the most qualified.

“Zanu PF wants to appoint Mtuke as the CEO. We understand the Provincial Administrator has been informed. By the look of things, Ncube will be kicked out,” a source close to Bikita Rural District Council revealed on Monday, further fueling tensions over the appointment.

As the dispute unfolds, it remains unclear how the situation will be resolved, but it is clear that Zanu PF’s influence over local governance is at the heart of the controversy, with party hardliners pushing for the leadership of the district to align more closely with their political interests.