By Chantelle Muzanenhamo
TAMSON Lamula Ndou was officially sworn in as the new councillor for Beitbridge Rural District Council (BBRDC) Ward 14 during a full council meeting held at the Beitbridge RDC boardroom on Monday, following the death of Councillor Milton Ndou last year.
Cllr Ndou assumes office after the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) held a nomination court for the Ward 14 councillor by-election on January 21, 2026, where he contested unopposed.
Beitbridge RDC Chief Executive Officer, Kiliboni Mbedzi, also recommended that Cllr Ndou serve on the Social and Community Services Committee as well as the Natural Resources, Tourism and Conservation Committee, positions previously held by the late Councillor Milton Ndou.
Speaking in an interview after the full council meeting, Cllr Ndou expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and highlighted the urgent challenges facing Ward 14.
“I am glad to have been sworn in as the new councillor. In Ward 14 we have serious road problems and we do not have a secondary school. Children are walking about 16 kilometres to school. I hope to work towards solving these problems. Our roads are bad, we do not have bridges, and the roads need grading,” he said.
Traditional leader Chief Tshitaudze, real name David Mbedzi, congratulated the new councillor and urged him to work closely with community leadership structures.
“We will work together as traditional leaders. Seek guidance when necessary through consulting traditional leaders, headmen and other elders. Repair the trust of the community that you are representing,” said Chief Tshitaudze.
BBRDC Council Chairperson Oscar Chiromo also conveyed his condolences while welcoming the new councillor.
“It is a sad moment to lose our fellow councillor, but we hope the new councillor will carry the torch and continue the good work for his ward,” said Chiromo.
Cllr Ndou now takes over leadership of Ward 14 with a pledge to address infrastructure challenges and improve access to education and basic services for the community.
Different stakeholders congratulated Ndou during the function where different heads of Government Departments and government development partners witnessed the swearing in.
Ndou also committed to the secrecy of Government business which may not be for public consumption.