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NewsDay

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Chombo launches Gwanda mayor investigations

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Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo has appointed a four-member team to investigate suspended Gwanda mayor, Lionel De Necker. Newsday is in possession of Chombos letter to deputy director of the Urban Local Authorities, a Mr Hungwe advising him of his appointment as chairperson of the team. The letter dated April 19 reads: Following the suspension […]

Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo has appointed a four-member team to investigate suspended Gwanda mayor, Lionel De Necker.

Newsday is in possession of Chombos letter to deputy director of the Urban Local Authorities, a Mr Hungwe advising him of his appointment as chairperson of the team.

The letter dated April 19 reads: Following the suspension of the mayor for Gwanda municipality; Councillor De Necker; (Ward 10) on April 04 2012 on allegations of deliberate defiance of a ministerial directive, I hereby appoint you as chairperson of the investigation team in terms of section 311 (2) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15).

According to the letter, other members of the probe team include Harare banker and businessman Fortune Mutete, Bindura District Administrator Mike Mazai and principal administration officer at Chombos office, a Mr S Chipunza.

In his letter, Chombo ordered the team to establish the extent of De Neckers interference with management matters and executive duties of the council, to establish facts surrounding the deliberate defiance of the Local Government Boards decision on the appointment of the chamber secretary and the subsequent directive thereof by the minister.

The team is to determine the extent of damage caused to council by the mayors action and impact on service delivery and inquire into any other matters incidental, related or arising from the above that may negatively affect sound local governance and operations of council, said Chombo in the letter.

De Necker confirmed the development yesterday, but declined to shed more light over the matter. I received a letter on April 19 to inform me that I would be under investigation, he said.

De Necker was suspended for allegedly defying Chombos order directing council to appoint Priscilla Nkala as substantive chamber secretary. Early this year, Chombo suspended Mutare mayor Brian James on allegations of misconduct.

Chombo has previously suspended mayors from Bindura, Chinhoyi and Rusape, which are all controlled by the MDC-T.