THE Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC Alliance has recalled three Gweru councillors and two from Victoria Falls, accusing them of supporting the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa.
In a letter dated October 11 addressed to Gweru town clerk Vakayi Chikwekwe, Local Government and Public Works minister July Moyo said the seats were now vacant.
“I wish to inform you that I am in receipt of a letter from the Movement for Democratic Change (T) stating that councillors, namely, Martin Chivhoko (ward 4), Cleopus Shiri (ward 5) and John M Manyundwa (ward 6) have been expelled from the party,” the letter read.
“In terms of section 278(1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with section 129 (1)(k), the above-mentioned wards are now vacant.”
In Victoria Falls, two councillors, Thuso Moyo (ward 7) and Josepha Dzangai of ward 8 were also given marching orders.
What is now left is for the respective councils to inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) of the vacancies to pave way for by-elections in terms of section 121 of the Electoral Act.
MDC-A spokesperson Witness Dube said: “They have joined, or are supporting another political party. This had made whipping them on service delivery matters impossible as they were defying our organs which regulate how public officials fulfil our manifesto to the electorate. These people had been on the party's watch for some time, and they refused to adhere to the corrective measures that they were instructed to observe when they conducted council business.”
Recently, MDC-A recalled six Binga Rural District councillors on similar allegations. Meanwhile, women in the Midlands province have called for peace in the country ahead of the 2023 polls.
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Speaking in Gweru yesterday at a Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCOZ) meeting on preparations for 2023 elections, WCOZ member Merjury Makunere said: "We should start to preach the gospel of peace to our husbands and sons at home. People who go out to attend political rallies and at times end up engaging in violence are the same people who come from our homes. There is, therefore, need to preach peace at home."
Gender activist Nobuhle Mahlahla urged the church to spread the message of peace.
Mahlahla said government should avail resources to the police to enable them to deal with political violence.
WCOZ Gweru chapter chairperson Nozipho Rutsate said peace messages should be spread through different mediums, adding that the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission should embark on peace campaigns.
“Let us have more slots on community radios in our areas to hammer the message of peace ahead of elections,” she said.
Zimbabwe goes for polls next year and already there have been incidents of violence in different parts of the country, with the recent violence having occurred in Matobo, Filabusi and Insiza districts.
