The battle for control of the Local Government ministry took a new twist after deputy minister Sesel Zvidzai threatened to reinstate all councillors fired by his boss, Ignatius Chombo.
Last week, Zvidzai accused Chombo of running the ministry like his bedroom after the latter described him as powerless.
“He (Chombo) should work for the nation instead of his party and what he is doing is uncouth. He is harassing councillors rather than assisting them for purposes of service delivery. I call upon the Prime Minister (Morgan Tsvangirai) and the President (Robert Mugabe) to intervene so that we work inclusively rather than exclusively.
“By saying I am powerless he is failing to understand the reason for the inclusive government.”
However, Chombo reiterated he was the boss and described Zvidzai’s utterances as “preposterous”.
Since 2008, Chombo has embarked on a countrywide purge targeting mainly MDC-T councillors, firing 9 and suspending several others for alleged corruption. Most of the affected councillors are from Harare, Bindura, Rusape, Seke and Chinhoyi.
Recently, Chombo fired two Harare councillors, Warship Dumba and Casper Takura, for alleged dishonesty, but his deputy immediately reinstated them, a move that set the two ministers on a collision course.
Harare mayor Muchadeyi Masunda said: “The principles of natural justice say any accused person, before being found guilty, should be given an opportunity to present his side of the story. In this instance, I don’t believe the two had been given a fair hearing.”
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Precious Shumba of the Harare Residents’ Trust described Chombo’s move as “too unjust and harsh” arguing the case did not warrant dismissal.
“What raises eyebrows is that the two were at the forefront of investigating Chombo and the minister was not the right person to fire them.”
Zvidzai also wants Chombo to immediately reinstate Bindura mayor, Tinashe Madamombe, suspended for alleged abuse of office but later acquitted by the courts.
“Clever Manhombo (Zanu PF) was acquitted by the courts, so was Madamombe, and I see no reason why they should not go back to work,” Zvidzai said.
“Minister Chombo has to lift the suspension and if he can’t, I will do it myself unless an independent body is properly constituted to investigate the councillors if he feels they have a case to answer,” he fumed.
