HARARE – The Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC has recalled three councillors, including acting Harare mayor Christopher Mbanga, who are alleged to have been compromised by Zanu PF specifically on the contentious issue of the capital city’s town clerk.
Mbanga and councillors, Stewart Mutizwa and Paula Macharangwanda, were on Monday recalled for their alleged role in suspending town clerk James Mushore.
Mushore was the MDC’s chosen candidate for the town clerk position and although he was appointed by suspended Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni, the decision was rescinded by Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere.
The matter is pending before the country’s courts.
MDC Harare province chairperson Eric Murai told the Daily News that Mbanga had gone rogue and was taking orders from Kasukuwere instead of the MDC.
“As MDC, we do not tolerate those deployed by the party who do not tow the party line. We have discovered that Mbanga and his crew were working in cahoots with Zanu PF. He was taking directives from Kasukuwere and not our party,” Murai said.
He said one of the main reasons for recalling Mbanga and the two councillors was because the trio did not support the appointment of Mushore.
Murai said the party’s position on Mushore had not changed as they were in full support of him taking the position of Harare’s chief executive officer.
“The suspension of the mayor is null and void to us as a party. We recognise Manyenyeni as the legitimate mayor of Harare and Mushore as the town clerk,” he said.
Mbanga could not be reached for comment as he was not answering his mobile phone.
Last week, Kasukuwere said as long as Mushore did not follow the proper procedures to his appointment as town clerk, he would remain on suspension without pay.
He said Mushore must accept to be subjected to the normal conditions that any other town clerk must go through and not interfere with the Local Government Board (LGB).
“The status quo remains. Mushore has no business at Town House. We are not against him, but he must just follow the law. I am surprised that such an educated man behaves in a manner that qualifies as not being civilised.
“You cannot destabilise the peaceful and smooth flow of business. If he succeeds at the LGB then he will certainly become town clerk with everyone’s support. What that position requires is the support of the State. You cannot succeed if the government does not support you,” Kasukuwere said.-DN
