MDC-T councillor evicted
KWEKWE — Firebrand MDC-T councillor, Queenly Chitopo, was kicked out of her residence on Wednesday after her former employer obtained a High Court writ of eviction against her.
Chitopo confirmed her ejection from her 5 Eastland Crescent residence in Newtown suburb by Zimpost.
Zimpost, through their lawyers Dube, Manikai and Hwacha, obtained a writ of ejectment against Chitopo and all persons claiming occupation through her at the property.
Part of the writ reads:“The respondent be and is hereby ordered to vacate plaintiff’s premises within 14 days from the date of service of this order on her failing which the Deputy Sheriff be and is hereby directed and authorised to evict the respondent from plaintiff’s premises.”
Acting on the court order, the Deputy Sheriff and Messenger of Court for Kwekwe, Energy Pedzera, teamed up with the police and kicked out the councillor.
When NewsDay visited the premises, Chitopo’s household property was strewn all over outside the yard while the gate was locked.
Although Chitopo’s eviction from the house is linked to her taking part in the 2001 strike at Zimpost that resulted in losing her job, she claimed it was politically-motivated. She said these were machinations to silence her as she has been a critic of the incumbent council management.
“How many people who are no longer employed there (Zimpost) are occupying properties that belong to the company? This is a clear sign of politics at play. I saw it coming,” said a distraught Chitopo.
The ward 13 councillor and chairperson of the Kwekwe City Council’s finance committee has fallen out of favour with management and some of the councillors following her alleged refusal to endorse the local authority’s 2011 budget, leading to its rejection by residents.
Chitopo alleged council management, working in cahoots with mayor Shadreck Tobaiwa, went behind her back and submitted the disputed budget to Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo for approval.
Zimpost, through their lawyers Dube, Manikai and Hwacha, obtained a writ of ejectment against Chitopo and all persons claiming occupation through her at the property.
Part of the writ reads:“The respondent be and is hereby ordered to vacate plaintiff’s premises within 14 days from the date of service of this order on her failing which the Deputy Sheriff be and is hereby directed and authorised to evict the respondent from plaintiff’s premises.”
Acting on the court order, the Deputy Sheriff and Messenger of Court for Kwekwe, Energy Pedzera, teamed up with the police and kicked out the councillor.
When NewsDay visited the premises, Chitopo’s household property was strewn all over outside the yard while the gate was locked.
Although Chitopo’s eviction from the house is linked to her taking part in the 2001 strike at Zimpost that resulted in losing her job, she claimed it was politically-motivated. She said these were machinations to silence her as she has been a critic of the incumbent council management.
“How many people who are no longer employed there (Zimpost) are occupying properties that belong to the company? This is a clear sign of politics at play. I saw it coming,” said a distraught Chitopo.
The ward 13 councillor and chairperson of the Kwekwe City Council’s finance committee has fallen out of favour with management and some of the councillors following her alleged refusal to endorse the local authority’s 2011 budget, leading to its rejection by residents.
Chitopo alleged council management, working in cahoots with mayor Shadreck Tobaiwa, went behind her back and submitted the disputed budget to Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo for approval.
