Masunda wants deputy out

 

should show respect for the MDC-T by quitting the council seat he won courtesy of his membership to the party.

“Clr Emmanuel Chiroto’s continued presence at Town House as deputy mayor detracts from the dignity and respect which is normally associated with the Office of the Mayor.

“My work is now being stifled. The deputy mayor’s attendance at council meetings is now erratic,” he said.

But Clr Chiroto, who refused to be drawn into saying much, said his strength rests in the people who voted him into office as opposed to Mr Masunda who has to say things that please the people who appointed him.

“I have been advised by colleagues not to respond. Let him say all that he has and see where it goes,” he said.

Mr Masunda alleged that Clr Chiroto has not come out clean on allegations of corruption relating to his acquisition of “certain assets that he is widely believed to own which he did not have when we first came into office 54 months ago on 1 July, 2008.

“In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the mythical reasonable person on the Mbare commuter omnibus would be left with the inescapable conclusion that the assets complained of were acquired in circumstances that may not be exactly kosher,” he said.

Mr Masunda said three other councillors Peter Marange, Exevia Vengesayi and Phumulani Musagwiza should also quit the council because “they were not elected on their individual attributes”.

MDC-T Harare provincial chairman Mr Paul Madzore said Clr Chiroto and his colleagues should consider the advice from Mayor Masunda.

“The ethical thing is that when one is dismissed by a party that one claims to love they should step aside until such a time the party restores membership,” he said.

He said because Mr Masunda does not have the jurisdiction to fire the four, his statement should be taken in the context of advice.

Asked what advice he would give the trio himself, Mr Madzore said:
“The party took its position. I can only suggest to them to step down. If they respect the party they should be off until the party brings them back.”

Mr Madzore said any other action rests with the MDC-T national committee that dealt with the matter and only asked the province to implement.