GWERU — The MDC-T has suspended Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi and four other councillors for defying a party directive to elect its preferred candidate for the mayoral post.
STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT MDC-T Midlands South provincial spokesperson James Tsuro confirmed the suspension of the five councillors saying they had received their suspension letters from the national executive pending a disciplinary hearing set for next Monday.
The other suspended councillors include deputy mayor Artwell Matyorauta, Tawanda Magidi (Ward 16), Farai Muza (Ward 17) and Moses Marecha (Ward 5).
Tsuro said most of these councillors received their suspension letters on Monday as they were away for an induction workshop in Bulawayo from October 4 to 7.
“It’s true, the mayor and four other councillors have been served with suspension letters and they will appear before a disciplinary committee next Monday,” Tsuro said.
The provincial executive had recommended the firing of 10 councillors after they defied the party directive to elect Ward 10 councillor and Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions Central Region paralegal officer Charles Chikozho as mayor.
The decision is likely to widen existing cracks within the opposition which emerged after the party’s heavy loss to Zanu PF in the July 31 general elections.
A senior party member who spoke on condition of anonymity said Kombayi had the support of Gweru Urban MP and MDC-T Local Government shadow minister Sesel Zvidzai, while Mkoba MP Amos Chibaya supported Chikozho.
