The wrangle for control of the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development took yet another twist Friday with junior minister, Sesel Zvidzai, claiming to have reinstated suspended Bindura mayor Tinashe Madamombe who was suspended by minister Ignatius Chombo.
Zvidzai said he used powers vested in him by constitutional Amendment Number 19 to reinstate Madamombe saying the latter was supposed to resume his duties after he was cleared by the courts.
Last year, Chombo suspended Madamombe for alleged corruption, but the charges were dismissed by the court early this year.
Said Zvidzai: “With the powers vested in me by Amendment Number 19 section 20 (1) paragraph 6, I reinstate (Tinashe) Madamombe as mayor of Bindura.”
“I am also aware that the minister has put together a team of Zanu PF people to investigate Madamombe but as it stands, the team is irrelevant as I have lifted the suspension,” he said.
Zvidzai said he had since communicated to Madamombe and expected him to be in office and discharging duties for the good of residents in the municipality.
He said Madamombe would go back to work together with the six councillors who were fired from the MDC-T party after they were accused of working against the party and the people of Bindura.
“We (MDC-T) fired those councillors and in as far as we are concerned they are now Zanu PF councillors but for purposes of inclusivity, he (Madamombe) will work with them,” Zvidzai said.
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However, Chombo insists Madamombe remained suspended and that he had a case to answer.
“Zvidzai and other officials give me advice but the decisions are mine and mine alone,” Chombo said.
Last month, Zvidzai claimed he had nullified the expulsion of Harare councillors, Warship Dumba and Casper Takura, but the two were barred from returning to Town House by Harare Mayor, Muchadeyi Masunda. In barring the pair, Masunda cited the Urban Councils Act and claimed he would abide by Chombo’s orders until a court of law ruled otherwise.
