Chronicle Editor
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
ATTEMPTS by recently elected Citizens for Coalition Change (CCC) councillors to disrupt councils through the passing of vote of no-confidence against mayors and council chairpersons have been blocked by the Government which has declared the move illegal.
A few days after their election into office, the CCC councillors in Bulawayo were reportedly pushing for the ouster of the city’s Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni and Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube.
The councillors held a caucus at their provincial party offices, which was chaired by former Deputy Mayor, Mr Tinashe Kambarami and former Bulawayo Senator, Matson Hlalo, who sources have revealed is eyeing a comeback as the party’s provincial chairperson. Mr Kambarami is not a sitting councillor as he was also recalled by the MDC-T, from representing ward three.
Eight councillors from the CCC won the by-elections in Bulawayo, namely; Clr Edwin Ndlovu (ward eight), Clr Donaldson Mabuto (ward nine), Alderman Lilian Mlilo (ward 12), Clr Concilia Mlalazi (Ward 18), Clr Christopher Dube (ward 19), Ald Earnest Rafomoyo (ward 20), Clr Tinevimbo Maposa (ward 21) and Clr Mpumelelo Moyo (ward 26).
However, in a circular sent to all mayors and council chairpersons, Minister of Local Government and Public Works, Cde July Moyo said according to the country’s laws, mayors and chairpersons could only be removed from office through a tribunal or through Section 129 of the constitution.
“Reference is made to the just recently concluded by-elections conducted by ZEC (Zimbabwe Electoral Commission) wherein the results have been announced.
As I congratulate the new councillors who have been elected, may I take this opportunity to remind councils that this was not a general election and as such the sitting Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons of Committees and their deputies remain as constituted prior to the by-election. In terms of Section 114 of the Local Government Laws Amendment Act Number 8 of 2016, a Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor can only be removed from his position through an independent tribunal or through Section 129 of the Constitution.
You are therefore, advised that your councils cannot reconstitute the leadership architecture in place unless there is a vacancy. Be guided accordingly,” reads the circular.
Internal sources within the Bulawayo City Council revealed that the eight new councillors had, however, since been weakened with a majority of them reverting to their old camps among those councillors that were not recalled.
Online Reporter