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Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi has defied MDC-T’s directive to step down and revert to the position of an ordinary councillor after he was found guilty of defying his party.
Clr Kombayi was told to step aside and let another MDC-T councillor stand in the mayoral election.
The party subsequently ordered Clr Kombabyi to resign from the mayorship by December 31 and pave way for the election of a new mayor.
However, on Tuesday he said he was still the legitimate mayor of Gweru and was not planning to resign for any reason.
“I have not received any letter from the national executive compelling me to resign as Gweru mayor. I only learnt of the development through the Press, therefore it has not been made official.
“I can only decide what to do once I receive the letter. I am still the legitimate mayor of Gweru and we already have plans for 2014. I wish all residents of Gweru a prosperous new year,” he said.
Party spokesperson Mr Douglas Mwonzora said Clr Kombayi was yet to communicate his position with regards to the matter.
He said each councillor was served with a letter communicating the party’s position on the matter.
MDC-T secretary-general Mr Tendai Biti signed a letter ordering Clr Kombayi to resign as Gweru mayor.
The party wanted trade unionist Clr Charles Chikozho to be elected Gweru mayor and Clr Kenneth Sithole as his deputy.
However, MDC-T councillors defied the party position and voted Clr Kombayi as mayor and Clr Artwell Matyorauta as his deputy.
Meanwhile, the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers’ Association said it stood by Clr Kombayi, insisting that his forced resignation would hinder progress in the city.
GRRPA chairperson Mr Cornelius Selipiwe said the move by the MDC-T leadership to dismiss the mayor was unwelcome since it would hinder service delivery arrangements made between Town House and their association.
Online Reporter