There is discord in the Joint Monitoring and Implementation Committee (Jomic) over how they should handle a complaint by an association of councillors seeking the arrest and prosecution of Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo.
The Elected Councillors’ Association of Zimbabwe (ECAZ) has approached Jomic to pressure for the arrest and prosecution of Chombo, claiming that he “illegally acquired local authorities’ property” throughout the country.
But yesterday members of Jomic had different views on how the matter should be handled.
While Thabhita Khumalo (MDC-T) was of the view that Jomic had no jurisdiction over the matter, Frank Chamunorwa (MDC-N) said they would seek a meeting with Augustine Chihuri, the Police Commissioner-General, over the matter.
“Jomic was founded for the purpose of being a receptor of grievances from the three political parties in the GNU and any other members of the public as long as the issues are to do with governance,” Chamunorwa told NewsDay yesterday.
“Our role is to submit the letter (written by ECAZ) and we have a discourse with the Police Commissioner-General and hear his side of the story.”
Chamurorwa said it was important for Jomic to establish from Chihuri why the councillors believed there was selective application of the law in dealing with the Chombo issue.
Khumalo had different views saying: “We do not have the powers. Our role is just to monitor the implementation of the GPA in letter and spirit.”
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Oppah Muchinguri (Zanu PF) said it was not the responsibility of Jomic to deal with alleged corruption: “I have not seen the letter but if we see it, we will forward it to the appropriate authorities,” Muchinguri said last night.
“It’s not our job. That is the work of the corruption commission.”
Attorney-General Johannes Tomana said the role of Jomic was self-explanatory. He refused to comment further.
