A Member of Parliament has demanded the expulsion of Binga District Council chief executive officer Joshua Muzamba after he was elected into the Zanu PF central committee last year.
BY XOLISANI NCUBE
Binga North MP Dubeko Prince Sibanda petitioned the local authority’s chairperson Mukombwe Dube protesting against Muzamba’s continued employment.
According to a letter to Mukombwe seen by Southern Eye, the council’s top employee was elected into the Zanu PF central committee last December and should have resigned immediately in terms of the law.
“The constitution of Zimbabwe section 266 (3) strictly provides that no employee of a metropolitan council, provincial or local authority shall occupy a political office,” wrote Sibanda in the letter dated July 7.
He said Muzamba deliberately violated the law as he knew the implications of accepting a position in a political party.
“Joshua Muzamba knowingly and in brazen violation of the law accepted nomination and won the election to a political position while still occupying the position of a chief executive officer of Binga Rural District Council. The situation is untenable,” Sibanda said.
The MP said if Muzamba failed to relinquish his post, he will take legal action against council and the CEO in his personal capacity.
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Muzamba won the central committee slot after defeating then politburo member Samuel Mugandi.
“His remaining in office is seriously compromising service delivery and violating citizens’ rights to be impartially served,” he said.
“In fact sir, by operation of law, Mr Muzamba is no longer an employee of council from the day he chose a political position over a civic one.”
The letter was copied to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Saviour Kasukuwere, the new Local Government minister and Dube could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Abammeli Human Rights Lawyers Network are handling the matter.
Zanu PF has been battling to seize control of Binga District from MDC-T since the formation of the labour backed party in 1999, with little success.
