Elias Mudzuri
Encyclopedia
Elias Mudzuri is a Zimbabwe
an engineer
and politician
. Mudzuri was elected to a four-year term as Mayor of Harare, a city of 1.8 million, in March 2002. Trained in Sierre Leone as a civil engineer, the mayor is a Fellow of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers
. Before becoming mayor, he had worked in local government for fourteen years. He is married to Jabu Mudzuri, a Swazi national, and the couple have five children. Mr. Mudzuri was a Mason Fellow in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and also holds Masters in Public Administration from the University.
Mudzuri is a member of the Movement for Democratic Change
, the opposition party led by Morgan Tsvangirai
. His election as mayor came about after Harare's citizens sued the national government for autonomous elections, required by the nation's constitution but never held. From 1999 forward, President Mugabe had appointed ministers of the national government to run local government in Harare, which was illegal under the constitution.
in the March 2002 mayoral election by a large margin, receiving 262,275 votes against 56,796 votes for Midzi.
Almost immediately after that election, a power struggle between Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo and Mudzuri ensued. Chombo blocked badly needed funds for local improvements and development. In March 2003, young Zanu-PF supporters toyi-toyi'd around Town House - Harare's city hall - chanting: "Mudzuri should be beaten up, he must be killed and he must be removed."
On January 11, 2003 the national police assaulted and arrested Mudzuri while he met with Harare residents. More than 20 city officials and residents were held at that time.
At the end of April 2003 the national government suspended Mudzuri from his position as Executive Mayor without pay, and locked him out of his office. His deputy mayor, Sekesai Makwavarara
, was appointed as acting mayor by the central government.
to sit as minister of Energy and Power Development in the unity coalition cabinet.
Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country located in the southern part of the African continent, between the Zambezi and Limpopo rivers. It is bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the southwest, Zambia and a tip of Namibia to the northwest and Mozambique to the east. Zimbabwe has three...
an engineer
Engineer
An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. Mudzuri was elected to a four-year term as Mayor of Harare, a city of 1.8 million, in March 2002. Trained in Sierre Leone as a civil engineer, the mayor is a Fellow of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers
Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers
The Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers is the professional organization of engineers in Zimbabwe. It has graded membership, including student, technician, graduate and corporate membership as well as the status of fellow....
. Before becoming mayor, he had worked in local government for fourteen years. He is married to Jabu Mudzuri, a Swazi national, and the couple have five children. Mr. Mudzuri was a Mason Fellow in the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and also holds Masters in Public Administration from the University.
Mudzuri is a member of the Movement for Democratic Change
Movement for Democratic Change – Tsvangirai
The Movement for Democratic Change Zimbabwe is a political party and the largest party in the House of Assembly of Zimbabwe. It is the main formation formed from the split of the original Movement for Democratic Change in 2005.-Foundation:...
, the opposition party led by Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
. His election as mayor came about after Harare's citizens sued the national government for autonomous elections, required by the nation's constitution but never held. From 1999 forward, President Mugabe had appointed ministers of the national government to run local government in Harare, which was illegal under the constitution.
Power struggle with the Mugabe administration
Mudzuri defeated ZANU-PF candidate Amos MidziAmos Midzi
Amos Bernard Midzi is a Zimbabwean politician who served in the Cabinet successively as Minister of Energy and Power Development and Minister of Mines and Mining Development from 2002 to 2009....
in the March 2002 mayoral election by a large margin, receiving 262,275 votes against 56,796 votes for Midzi.
Almost immediately after that election, a power struggle between Minister of Local Government Ignatius Chombo and Mudzuri ensued. Chombo blocked badly needed funds for local improvements and development. In March 2003, young Zanu-PF supporters toyi-toyi'd around Town House - Harare's city hall - chanting: "Mudzuri should be beaten up, he must be killed and he must be removed."
On January 11, 2003 the national police assaulted and arrested Mudzuri while he met with Harare residents. More than 20 city officials and residents were held at that time.
At the end of April 2003 the national government suspended Mudzuri from his position as Executive Mayor without pay, and locked him out of his office. His deputy mayor, Sekesai Makwavarara
Sekesai Makwavarara
Sekesai Makwavarara is the former deputy mayor and acting mayor of Harare. Makwararara began her work for council in 2002 for Mabvuku as a member of the Movement for Democratic Change party...
, was appointed as acting mayor by the central government.
Appointment to Unity cabinet
On February 10, 2009, Mudzuri was selected by Prime Minister Morgan TsvangiraiMorgan Tsvangirai
Morgan Richard Tsvangirai is the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe. He is the President of the Movement for Democratic Change - Tsvangirai and a key figure in the opposition to President Robert Mugabe. Tsvangirai was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Zimbabwe on 11 February 2009...
to sit as minister of Energy and Power Development in the unity coalition cabinet.