ACTING Harare mayor Christopher Mbanga has stalled implementing a council resolution to send town clerk James Mushore on forced leave.
BY RICHARD CHIDZA
Mushore’s appointment as the capital city’s chief administrator has hit troubled waters after Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere ordered the local authority to reverse the decision on account it had “jumped the gun”.
However, almost a week after council met to enforce Kasukuwere’s order, Mbanga was yet to implement the resolution.
“Mushore is reporting for duty as usual because Mbanga is yet to communicate the council resolution officially,” NewsDay heard.
Mbanga yesterday refused to shed light on the matter.
“I have no comment to make regarding the town clerk,” he said, before excusing himself.
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MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai last week said he expected Mbanga to convene another council meeting to reverse the resolution to enforce Kasukuwere’s order, blaming the Local Government minister for the chaos at Town House. Mbanga is expected to chair a full council meeting today.
“It is true Mbanga has called for a full council meeting,” a councillor said on condition of anonymity.
Mushore also refused to say much on the issue. “Nothing has changed,” he said. As the chaos continued, it emerged yesterday that the MDC-T provincial executive has recommended that Mbanga be recalled.
Party spokesperson Obert Gutu confirmed the development.
“The Harare provincial executive met and recommended that action (recall), but I must hasten to say it is a process and not an event. There are procedures to be followed,” he said.
“The relevant structures of the party are now seized with the matter and it’s only a matter of time.”
Meanwhile, High Court judge Justice Mary Zimba-Dube has dismissed an urgent chamber application filed by Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni challenging his suspension by Kasukuwere. Manyenyeni yesterday confirmed that his case had been thrown out, adding reasons for the ruling were yet to be made available.
“Yes, the case has been thrown out, but I do not have the reasons because the judge said she would deliver that in writing. So we are waiting for the reasons for us to decide the way forward,” he said.
Kasukuwere wielded the axe on Manyenyeni, accusing the mayor of failing to follow procedure in Mushore’s appointment and refusing to rescind the decision as ordered by the minister.
