GOVERNMENT has resolved to defy a recent High Court order to lift the suspension imposed on Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi and 10 councillors.
BY AUDREY MUTASA
High Court judge Justice Nokhutula Moyo last week ordered government to reinstate the city fathers saying their suspension was unconstitutional.
However, Local Government ministry permanent secretary George Mlilo yesterday said the suspensions would remain in force while the caretaker commission would continue taking charge of council operations until completion of the investigations.
Kombayi and his fellow councillors were suspended last month for alleged misconduct, corruption and incompetence.
“The councillors, Hamutendi Kombayi and all the suspended councillors, remain on suspension. The caretaker council put in place by the honourable minister remains operative in the absence of councillors,” Mlilo said.
When it was put to him that the move constituted defiance of a court order, Mlilo simply said: “Not intentionally, if that is so.”
