CHINHOYI — Ward 11 councillor Tendai Musonza has been removed from his Works and Planning Committee chairperson post after fellow MDC-T and Zanu PF councillors last week allegedly teamed up to push a no-confidence vote against him for attending a workshop wearing a T-shirt inscribed “Mugabe must go”.
Report by Own Correspondent
Musonza was last Thursday asked to leave Town House chambers following the brief installation ceremony of new substantive mayor Chipo Mlotshwa, which preceded a special council meeting where his fate was reportedly sealed.
Earlier in the day, Musonza had attended a councillors’ workshop at civic centre wearing a T-shirt inscribed “Mugabe must go”.
During the meeting, chamber secretary Abel Gotora reportedly read a letter signed by a clique of councillors raising concern over Musonza’s eligibility to lead the influential committee currently tasked with superintending over the town’s $2,9 million sewer system overhaul.
According to sources, Musonza was replaced by Councillor Simeon Gotami. Gotami yesterday confirmed his election to the new position.
“Yes, I was chosen at last week’s elections when council reconstituted committees following the substantive mayor’s election,” he said.
But Musonza hit back saying his ouster breached provisions of the Urban Councils Act.
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“My removal through a supposed vote of no-confidence and subsequent elections are a nullity,” he said.
“The move goes against provisions of the Act, which clearly stipulate that only the Local Government minister (Ignatius Chombo) is vested with powers to remove a council committee chairperson, and not another councillor.
“I am still the works and planning chairman.”
Musonza, who is also MDC-T Chinhoyi district secretary, claimed the T-shirt angered a named Zanu PF special interest councillor whom he alleged incited MDC-T councillors to sign the petition.
“I am shocked fellow MDC-T councillors can be whipped by a Zanu PF member into signing a petition against their own over a Mugabe T-shirt created by MDC-T to push its regime-change agenda,” he said.
“This is selling out the movement. I am taking up the matter to Harvest House (MDC-T headquarters),”
Musonza alleged his aspirations to contest the Chinhoyi parliamentary seat in the forthcoming elections had created enemies from within his own party.
Efforts to get a comment from mayor Mlotshwa were fruitless yesterday as she was unreachable on her mobile.
