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Abel Zhakata
CHAOS reigned at the Civic Centre in Mutare on Wednesday afternoon after two defined camps of demonstrators converged at the city’s administration centre to protest against findings of a recent audit which exposed rampant corruption and breakdown of service delivery at the municipality.
While some of the protesters, bussed to the venue by Dangamvura-Chikanga legislator Cde Isau Mupfumi sang songs calling for the dismissal of the entire council management, the other camp countered saying the demonstrators were being used to advance selfish political interests.
Although there was no physical contact, the protesters traded insults before anti-riot police details came in to maintain order.
Cde Mupfumi, who later addressed the protesters, had a torrid moment to get audience as those opposed to the demonstration interjected his address.
In his address Cde Mupfumi said corruption was rampant at the local authority as exposed by the audit. He said managers were sending their children to expensive schools abroad at the detriment of service delivery.
“We are saying no to all this. These are the last days of managers at council. We are not going to chuck them out without following procedure but I assure you they are on their way out,” said Cde Mupfumi.
Cde Mupfumi said the Gimboki South issue was a bone for contention which the local authority was failing to handle yet the ministry gave them the green light to bring the housing project to order.
Midway into his address some of the protesters interjected saying the legislator was commenting on council corruption with dirty hands since he owes the local authority thousands of dollars in unpaid rates.
“Lead by example pay the money that you owe council first,” shouted one of the protesters.
Online Reporter