Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo on Tuesday filed opposing papers to suspended Gwanda mayor Lionel DeNecker’s application for review of his suspension at the Bulawayo High Court.
On June 4 this year, DeNecker through lawyer Matshobana Ncube filed court papers challenging his suspension from the local authority.
In his opposing affidavit dated June 19 filed at the Registrar of the High Court, Chombo, represented by the ministry’s acting secretary Erica Noelle Jones, said DeNecker’s grounds for review of suspension had no substance.
He said he was authorised to suspend DeNecker for any act of misconduct.
“A clear reading of applicant’s letter of suspension which he has annexed to his application clearly indicates that he was suspended for defying a directive which had been issued by the minister,” Chombo said in his opposing paper.
Chombo argued in that regard DeNecker’s suspension was lawful.
He further indicated that after issuing a directive which DeNecker reneged on, the mayor held a meeting with the town clerk and the Local Government Board officials on March 3, 2011 where they advised him on the implications of the chamber secretary’s appointment. “Applicant did not heed the board’s advice, but he instead caused deliberations to be made in council on whether to appoint the chamber secretary,” read part of Chombo’s papers.
He said even if the council did not want to appoint the said candidate, DeNecker should have taken note of “the ministerial directive”.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Chombo said DeNecker’s application for review should be dismissed and asked the court to uphold the suspension.
