The Bulawayo City Council (BCC) has mourned the passing of its former executive mayor and national hero, Joshua Teke Malinga.
Malinga (79) a Zanu PF politburo member and special advisor to President Mnangagwa died on Friday after battling prostate cancer.
President Mnangagwa declared him a national hero and described Malinga as a “national stalwart and vocal proponent of disability rights”.
In his condolence message, Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube said Malinga “was an active member of numerous organisations nationally and internationally and played a key role in championing the rights of persons with disability in the City and nation as a whole.
“Hon Malinga was elected into office as a Councillor for Ward 2 in 1987. He served as Councillor for the (1987 – 1991); (1991 – 1993); (1993 – 1995) Municipal years. He was elected as Deputy Mayor for the 1992/1993 Municipal year and installed on the 19th August 1992. He served as the Mayor of the City of Bulawayo in the 1993 / 1994 and 1994/ 1995 Municipal Years,” said Dube.
“During his term of office, he served in numerous Council Committees which included the Health, Housing, Amenities and Liquor Committee, the General Purposes Committee, Town Lands and Planning Committee and the Finance committee among others.
He further represented the City of Bulawayo in various outside bodies and Committees which included the Local Authorities Pension Fund Management Committee (1991/ 1992), Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe Executive Committee (1992 / 1993, 1994/ 1995), Matabeleland North Provincial Council (1992 / 1993, 1994/ 1995); Municipality of Bulawayo Medical Aid Society Management Committee (1992 / 1993); Bulawayo 100 years Celebrations Committee (1993/ 1994); Bulawayo Round Table No.3 (1993 / 1994, 1994/1995 ) ; National Art Gallery of Zimbabwe (1993 / 1994); Bulawayo Municipal Provident FundManagement Committee (1993/ 1994); Employment Council (1993/ 1994, 1994/ 1995); and the Esigodini Ncema Conservation (1993 / 1994, 1994/ 1995).”
