HARARE city councillors have vowed to retain James Mushore as town clerk until his contested appointment has been resolved by the courts of law.
BY staff reporters
Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni told NewsDay yesterday that council could not implement Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s directive to reverse Mushore’s appointment.
“At the moment, we cannot act because our hands are tied. This matter is before the courts, so we are tied legally. So the town clerk will continue to come to work,” he said.
The Combined Harare Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHRRA) took Kasukuwere to court accusing him of abusing the Urban Councils Act to interfere in council affairs.
“We are worried about the continued suffocation of Chapter 14 of the Constitution, which clearly spells out devolution and local authorities’ autonomy,” part of HRT’s court application reads.
Meanwhile, Mushore yesterday said he would continue reporting for duty despite heated debate over his appointment.
“I have been harangued and discussed in the media and, in the spirit of serving the residents as town clerk, I have tolerated the ongoing debate. I do hope that I shall not be placed in a position of having to assert my constitutional rights in a court of law,” he said in a letter addressed to Manyenyeni.
