×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Binga CEO, MDC-T MP case over Zanu PF post set for next week

News
THE hearing where Binga MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC-T) is seeking the removal of Binga Rural District Council chief executive officer, Joshua Muzamba from office following his election to the Zanu PF central committee, will commence at the Bulawayo High Court on Monday.

THE hearing where Binga MP Prince Dubeko Sibanda (MDC-T) is seeking the removal of Binga Rural District Council chief executive officer, Joshua Muzamba from office following his election to the Zanu PF central committee, will commence at the Bulawayo High Court on Monday.

BY SILAS NKALA

Sibanda, in January this year, filed an application at the Bulawayo High Court seeking Muzamba’s sacking and the matter will now be argued before Justice Martin Makonese.

In his founding affidavit, Sibanda said Muzamba’s election to the Zanu PF central committee was confirmed by ruling party spokesperson, Simon Khaya Moyo in a list produced in December 2014.

“In terms of Section 171(1)(c) of the Constitution, I am authorised to approach this honourable court seeking a declaratur that the Constitution has been violated by the first respondent (Muzamba) and a consequential order,” the legislator submitted.

“The first respondent was employed by second respondent (council), as the CEO well before 2014. While so employed and during the course of 2014, the first respondent stood for and was elected into political office.

“The members of Zanu PF’s central committee are office bearers in Zanu PF and as such, are the decision-makers within the said party in between congress.”

Sibanda said section 266 of the Constitution does not allow employees of local authorities to hold office in political parties.

He said he once raised the issue with council chairman, Dube Munkombwe, but got no response.

Sibanda said he also raised the issue with Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere in Parliament, but to no avail.

“Sight must not be lost that the first respondent and the Minister of Local Government belong to the same party, Zanu PF,” he submitted.

“The conduct of the first respondent is clearly in breach of the Constitution, as, while being an employee of the local authority, he has chosen to be an office bearer of Zanu PF, a political party.

“The Constitution outlaws the holding of a political party office by the employees of local authorities, primarily because they have to serve all manner of people even those of different political parties and persuasions.”

Muzamba has since entered an appearance to defend the case, resulting in a hearing date being set.