By Correspondent
After 5 years Norton Town Council officials are gleeful after the surprising loss by former Norton MP Temba Mliswa.
Mliswa was a constant pain for the local authority with his hands-on approach to accountability and transparency issues.
An official at NTC who spoke on condition of anonymity explained how Mliswa had become a weight for them.
“We all understood the need for the MP to oversee our work but I, like many, felt that he overdid it at times.
“NTC has professionals who are very much acquainted with the laws and regulations of their duties.
“It doesn’t require constant heckling for us to do our job as that ends up belittling our standing as professionals and human beings,” he said.
The source added that Mliswa’s may have meant good for Norton but his approach was problematic.
“You cannot be correct as a person all the time.
“At times concede that someone has a better idea.
“It’s unfortunate that it has come to this as Mliswa did so much for Norton and I’m very sure the people will be regretting their decision very soon.
Mliswa lost to Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Richard Tsvangirai.
ZANU PF’s Constance Shamu was third.
The result marked an end to Mliswa’s 7 year reign in the town.
Constant Battles
During his tenure Mliswa constantly heckled with NTC over accountability and service delivery issues.
He famously invited the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) to investigate NTC.
The move resulted in the arresting of some officials.
His oversight efforts relating to the Education Levy also resulted in the building of Norton Secondary School.
In the run-up to the 2023 election Mliswa even threatened to hold a demonstration against NTC.
Posting on social media Mliswa revealed that he conceded defeat and will be shifting attention to being a political analyst.