KWEKWE — Zanu PF councillor for Amaveni John Mapurazi caused a storm last Friday after he blocked Kwekwe mayor Matenda Madzoke and Kwekwe Central MP, Masango Matambanadzo both of Zanu PF, from addressing a Press Club meeting in his ward, saying he should have been consulted first.
BY STAFF REPORTER
The drama occurred at Amaveni Hall with Mapurazi and a group of Zanu PF youths threatening to forcefully eject journalists and over 70 delegates invited to the meeting.
This was despite the fact that the venue had been booked and paid for by Misa-Zimbabwe for its Press Club meeting.
“The mayor will not address you. He can’t come and use my hall and address people from my ward without my permission. In fact, close that meeting now and get out of my hall,” Mapurazi said.
“This is my area. I don’t care if you did not vote for me, but some people voted for me. I run this ward. It’s mine and I don’t care about the Press. I am the chief and anything that happens here I should be told.”
Madzoke immediately left in a huff fearing that the stand-off could turn violent.
However, Matambanadzo defied Mapurazi’s threats and went on to address the meeting, saying his authority was above that of a councillor.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
He told journalists that he was more concerned about resuscitation of companies in the Midlands province which have crumbled under economic strain.
“The President (Robert Mugabe) was very clear that we need to fight corruption and resuscitate our economy, open closed companies and create wealth for our people and this is what I will be pushing for. Midlands should reap these benefits,” Matambanadzo said.
