Chombo suspends Masvingo Ward 8 councillor

investigations against him during the period of suspension.
The move by Minister Chombo to suspend him followed a request by Masvingo City Council for him to take action against the Ward 8 councillor for allegedly mismanaging council property. Masvingo mayor Alderman Femias Chakabuda confirmed Clr Gapare’s suspension.
“It is true that Clr Gapare was suspended by Minister Chombo and we have already received a letter to that effect,’’ said Alderman Chakabuda.
In his letter to Clr Gapare, which was also copied to Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Titus Maluleke, provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo and Masvingo district administrator Mr James Mazvidza, Minister Chombo also barred the councillor from conducting any council business.
“During the period of the said suspension you shall not conduct any council business for and on behalf of council within or outside council premises and you shall not be eligible to receive any form of remuneration.
“Note that this suspension is in the interests of ensuring sound local governance, and my office ought to establish whether you have a case to answer in respect of the issues outlined in the foregoing,’’ wrote Minister Chombo to Clr Gapare.
Clr Gapare declined comment.
Among the allegations faced by the councillor is failure to pay nearly US$1 100 to council for a tent he hired for a private funeral in May 2010.
He is also accused of staying in a council flat in the Eastvale suburb and accumulating US$5 000 arrears in water, electricity and rentals.
He is also alleged to have allocated himself a housing stand in Target Kopje suburb in the city where he started building a house a few months ago before Alderman Chakabuda stopped him.
Clr Gapare, who was a security guard before being elected councillor, hogged the limelight last week after he was left sitting in the council chambers alone by fellow councillors who stormed out of a meeting to discuss next year’s budget in protest over his presence.
The councilors, led by Alderman Chakabuda, walked out on Clr Gapare after he sued them for garnishing his allowances to recoup a debt he owed council after incurring huge bills for water, electricity and rentals in Eastvale suburb. 
The matter is before the courts awaiting determination.