Suspended Gokwe Town Council chairperson Darlington Mudondo has now turned kombi driver to supplement his income, while he awaits a verdict on his political career from Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo.
Mudondo, who was reduced to a “commoner” following his suspension, now owns and drives an unregistered 16-seater green Toyota Hiace which plies the Gokwe–Kwekwe Highway.
“I drive my own kombi since I hardly have anything to do. There is no need to employ anyone since some of the kombi drivers are known to get rich stealing from operators,” he said. Mudondo said he could soon be taking Chombo to court over the suspension although he refused to give exact details.
“I am in pain after Chombo used his political muscle to remove me from my position of influence, but it’s still too early to tell you what I am doing about it suffice to say my legal team is seized with the matter . . . my suspension could have well been illegal,” Mudondo said.
The suspended chairperson used to operate a steel fabricating shop DM Steels, which torched a political storm resulting in his suspension by Chombo on May 22.
“Findings by the investigations team indicate that you demonstrated apparent neglect of duty as head of council when council on numerous occasions flaunted laid-down procedures through awarding of contracts to companies — including yours — without adhering to the comparative guiding principles as outlined in your procurement regulations,” read part of Chombo’s letter.
Mudondo was also accused of failing to rein in town secretary Tapiwa Marongwe, who is also currently under suspension on allegations of fraud.
He, however, has denied all the charges levelled against him by Chombo saying he was only a ceremonial chairperson and did not have the power to rein in Marongwe.
