A storm is brewing in the MDC-T-dominated Harare City Council after Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda reshuffled council committees on the grounds he wanted to expose councillors to various council operations.
However, the affected councillors – Panganayi Charumbira, Wellington Chikombo and four others – complained that the reshuffle was counterproductive. They have since written to Masunda complaining about his decision.
While the councillors fumed over the development, Masunda yesterday said he would not budge. He described the impasse as “a storm in a teacup”.
“It’s just a storm in a teacup on the part of certain councillors, a handful. This is not the first time they are screaming blue murder. This is the second rotation and is just a passing phase and there is no grain of truth that I am pandering to the whims of Zanu PF,” he said.
He said he had worked with the councillors for close to three years and knew their capabilities and shortcomings, hence the reshuffle.
Six councillors have written to Masunda opposing the reshuffle, accusing him of getting advice from chamber secretary Josephine Ncube, who the councillors say is pro-Zanu PF.
“I did it on my own because I am better placed as I have worked with these people for three years. In February, I briefed (Local Government deputy minister Sesel) Zvidzai because he is the majority party’s secretary for local government,” he said.
Over the weekend, councillors, who expressed their displeasure over the mayor’s reshuffle, said they would meet in Nyanga to discuss the issue among others.
