Mayor gets threats over foreign trips

action if he dared to exclude them on the next council delegation on a foreign trip.
The two – Cllrs Tungamirai Madzokere and Urayayi Mangwiro – reportedly sent the mayor the threatening message.
This comes after reports that some councillors’ conduct while in Germany on a business trip brought Zimbabwe’s image into disrepute.
They reportedly spoke ill of Zimbabwe.
Mr Masunda confirmed to this paper that the duo left the message with his secretary at Town House.
But Clr Madzokere yesterday denied ever threatening Mr Masunda.
He, however, admitted that together with Cllr Mangwiro they visited the Mayor’s office to register their displeasure with the selection criteria used to choose councillors to go on foreign trips.
“We did not threaten him. We only said there is need for clarification on the selection criteria. Our complaint is that consultations should be done first before names are announced,” he said.
Mr Masunda revealed the threats against him when he was giving a brief on a recent trip to Munich, German by some councillors.
Irked by some negative reports emanating from German over the behaviour of some of the councillors, Mr Masunda said the city would soon set criteria of the calibre of councillors who should go on foreign business trips.
“We cannot just send any councillor. We have to select on capacity to fly the Zimbabwe flag high, capacity to learn and contribute in discussions. We want worthy ambassadors,” he said.
But head of the Munich delegation Clr Peter Gandidzanwa Marange defended members of his group.
He said they accorded the councillors vast learning opportunities on how other councils in the world are run.
“There was nothing untoward by members from my team. Everybody was keen to learn. We all were flying the national flag high,” he said.
Some of the complaints against members of that delegation have to do with table manners, switching off cellphones during meetings and dinners, and bad mouthing the country.
Food preferences of some of the councillors were a cause of concern during the all-expences- paid trip.
Mr Masunda acknowledged that Cllr Madzokere and Cllr Mangwiro visited his office.
“Last week two councillors had the audacity to demand inclusion on the next trip.
“Clr Madzokere and Clr Mangwiro threatened that if they are not included on the next trip they will create a lot of noise and take unspecified action,” he said.
Mr Masunda said in light of the reports from Germany he would tighten the selection criteria.
Harare councillors have not been good travellers with some of them accused of demanding bribes during business trips to South Africa and Botswana last year.