BY TAFADZWA KACHIKO CHITUNGWIZA Municipality has failed to hold mayoral elections within 30 days as stipulated by the Urban Council Act following the recall of Lovemore Maiko by the Douglas Mwonzora-led MDC-T on March 2.
Under the Urban Councils Act, an election was supposed to be held within 30 days of his recall.
But Harare Provincial Affairs and Devolution secretary Tafadzwa Muguti blocked elections to fill the post, saying council should wait for the March 26 by-elections.
Deputy mayor Kiven Mutimbanyoka told the NewsDay that Local Government minister July Moyo has appointed a team to investigate the reasons for the failure to hold elections.
“We are in possession of a letter from the minister received on March 17 where he instituted an inquiry into allegations that were being raised against the holding of mayoral elections. Because of that we have to wait until investigations are conducted and concluded. After that we can have an election. We can’t have an election when the issue of that election is a subject matter,” Mutimbanyoka said.
“They were given seven days to conclude their investigations. After that, honest elections will be held. But right now talking of elections when there is an investigation, I don’t think it is ideal. We simply just wait for that to happen.”
Chitungwiza has gone for three months without holding a full ordinary council meeting.
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