Councillor sued over gossip

Gibson Mhaka
BULAWAYO councillor for Ward 13 Lot Siziba is allegedly embroiled in a bitter gossip wrangle with one of the residents in his ward, who took him to court seeking a peace order.

Clr Siziba last week appeared before Western Commonage magistrate Stephen Ndhlovu after Joshua Mafu from Mabutweni suburb accused him of disturbing his peace by saying bad things about him in his absence.

Mafu said the acrimonious relationship started way before Siziba was elected councillor of Ward 13 which comprises Mabutweni, Iminyela, Pelandaba, part of Njube and Kelvin South.

a�?I have problems with Lot Siziba who is the councillor for Ward 13. He says bad things about me at public gatherings.

I am losing my dignity in the community because of him. I have never been in good books with the respondent since I started staying in Mabutweni in 1990.

a�?Things, however, turned worse after he was elected councillor for Ward 13. Whenever he is addressing people at public gatherings he accuses me of repossessing their houses. I tried to ignore the accusations thinking that he was going to change but he has not. Two weeks ago I managed to gather evidence of what he said at a public meeting. He repeated the sentiments that I am repossessing peoplea��s houses,a�? complained Mafu.

Mafu said when he reported the matter to the police, Siziba refused to go to the station saying he was not interested in matters involving him.

Hence, he decided to take the legal route to stop Mafua��s alleged back-biting tendencies.

Siziba, however, dismissed Mafua��s accusations that he was insulting him at public gatherings.

a�?I do not know what he is talking about. As a councillor for Ward 13 I encompass everyone regardless of their political affiliations.

a�?The police are even aware that I am having problems with the applicant. The residents came and informed me that their houses were being repossessed before they threatened to beat him up but I stopped them from doing so,a�? said Siziba.

In his ruling, the magistrate ordered both parties to keep peace with each other for 12 months by ensuring that they do not insult one another at public gatherings.