LOCAL Government and Urban Development minister, Ignatius Chombo’s decision to approve the sacking three Victoria Falls MDC-T councillors accused of voting for a Zanu PF mayor has put the minister’s party in a spot of bother.
Richard Muponde Senior Reporter
MDC-T expelled the councillors from the party in December after they were accused of voting for a Zanu PF councillor, Sifiso Mpofu as mayor.
The resort town council’s deputy mayor, Norris Nyathi and two other MDC-T councillors, Rich Mguni (Ward 5) and Robson Salimu (Ward 8) were fired for defying an MDC-T directive to vote for the party’s candidate in last year’s polls. MDC-T had nominated Margaret Valley to be the resort town’s mayor but she lost the poll to Mpofu.
Victoria Falls town clerk, Phillip Ndlovu denied any knowledge of the sacking of the councillors.
“We have not received such communication. We are actually waiting for the minister to communicate to us,” he said.
“If we get such communication, we will let you know.”
However, impeccable sources said Chombo’s letter backing MDC-T’s plans to fire he councillors had been delivered.
- 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
Mpofu, the alleged beneficiary of the support by the MDC-T councillors, has been asked to deliver the news to the councillors.
“The letter was written to council last week advising the council of the cessation of the three from being councillors.
“The letter came from Chombo’s secretary. I personally saw the letter,” said a senior MDC-T official in Victoria Falls.
A councillor who spoke on condition of anonymity also confirmed the sacking of the trio.
“It’s true they were sacked by Chombo. After receiving the minister’s letter, the council dispatched letters to all councillors for a special full council meeting on Friday to advise other councillors of the sacking of the trio,” he said.
“However, the special full council meeting could not be conducted as the mayor was in Harare for a workshop.
“It has been scheduled for Monday (tomorrow) and that’s when all councillors would be officially advised of their sacking.”
Mpofu yesterday confirmed that there would be a full council meeting tomorrow but said he was not aware of the agenda.
“I was out of town. I can’t confirm anything. What I know is that there is a full council meeting on Monday,” he said.
Meanwhile, Zanu PF is reportedly planning to set up a team to lobby Chombo to reverse his decision to save the party’s face.
