‘Mafume remains suspended’

Leroy Dzenga

SUSPENDED Harare mayor Mr Jacob Mafume cannot return to work before the finalisation of his corruption case in court.

In the interim, acting mayor councillor Stuart Mutizwa remains in charge at Town House, Government has said.

In an interview, Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said Mr Mafume’s suspension was yet to be lifted.

Mr Mafume was suspended in December last year over his alleged involvement in corrupt land deals. Earlier this month, Mr Mafume returned to work, arguing that his suspension had lapsed, sparking a raging battle with Cllr Mutizwa for control of Town House. As a result, the city has failed to convene three consecutive full council meetings.

“We recognise councillor Mutizwa as the acting mayor,” said Minister Moyo.

“This is emanating from the fact that Mafume has cases before the court and he cannot resume duties until he is cleared.”

The battle between the two protagonists has also raised factional temperatures within their MDC-Alliance party.

Cllr Mutizwa said: “The Minister (of Local Government) has given direction that Mafume still has cases to answer and because of that I am still the acting mayor.

“Council is a system with its own traditions and anyone with a pending case cannot act as a councillor or mayor.”

He added: “The failure to hold council meetings is because councillors said they cannot sit in a meeting chaired by Mafume without the correct papers showing that his suspension is over and he has been cleared of the charges.”

Mr Mafume, however, insisted that his suspension has lapsed.

“I am in office. I have been going there, I am signing papers,” he said.

“I am legally discharging my duties.

“When my suspension ended I reverted back to my role which was interrupted for 45 days.”