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Mupfumi calls for axing of Mutare council executives

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DANGAMVURA/CHikanga MP, Esau Mupfumi has joined a chorus of people calling for new management at Mutare City Council after government last week released a damning report implicating top council executives.

DANGAMVURA/CHikanga MP, Esau Mupfumi has joined a chorus of people calling for new management at Mutare City Council after government last week released a damning report implicating top council executives.

BY KENNETH NYANGANI

Addressing more than 1 000 residents who had gathered at the Civic Centre yesterday to demonstrate against the rot at Mutare City Council, Mupfumi said ratepayers had the right to express themselves.

“The Local Government minister (Saviour Kasukuwere) was here recently and we had this audit report. In the report, it was said council workers have not been paid for 18 months, there are also issues of management paying each other mega salaries and allowances,’’ he said.

“President Robert Mugabe is returning on Saturday and I will give you two buses. We are going to meet the President and hopefully we are going to have time to speak about your grievances.’’

The demonstrating residents pleaded with Mupfumi to lodge a formal complaint with the police on their behalf to ensure that all officials implicated in the report are arrested.

ESAU MUPFUMI

“It is our money which these officials are abusing. Please use the report to get them arrested,” said one of the residents.

Mupfumi later formally lodged a complaint at Mutare Central Police Station under case RB 2672734.

Touts, who were allegedly hired by some council executives, attempted to disrupt the presentation of the report to residents, but they were overwhelmed by the huge crowd.

Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister Mandi Chimene has recommended the entire top management should be forced out.

But Mutare mayor, Tatenda Nhamarare said city fathers needed more time to scrutinise the audit report.

“We are putting issues of the residents first, as we want to improve service delivery in the city,” he said. “I am not going to favour anyone, but we are still going through the report. The councillors are not aware of its contents. They will get their copies this week, so they will go back to their committees. This report was mainly on salaries and I am still going through it.’’