MDC reinstates suspended mayor

Senior Reporter
THE Morgan Tsvangirai-led MDC camp has reinstated Mutare mayor Councillor Tatenda Nhamarare and three other councillors into the party who were suspended last September on misconduct charges.
Clr Nhamarare was suspended together with his colleagues — Farai Bhiza (Ward 11), Pamela Mutare (Ward 2) and Richard Mupfura (Ward 16) — after they were found guilty of breaching the party’s constitution following the election of Clr Nhamarare as mayor.

In a letter dated July 30, 2014 written to the four councillors by MDC acting secretary-general Mr Tapiwa Mashakada — a copy of which this paper has — the party reinstated them with full membership entitlements.

“The National Tribunal Committee met on July 23, 2014 and deliberated on your appeal and found you guilty of the alleged offence, but wholly suspended the charge on condition that you will not commit a similar offence in the next five years and that you will exhibit good behaviour.

“Therefore, you have been reinstated into the Movement for Democratic Change with full membership entitlements as enshrined in article 5.5 (1) and (2) of the party constitution.

“You are further required to uphold your obligations as a member and as enshrined in Article 5.4 of the party constitution which, among other things, states that every member shall have the duty to accept and conform to the constitution, policies, principles, rules and regulations of the party and to conduct oneself in a manner which is not prejudicial to the interests of the party and in particular to adhere to the code of conduct of the party.

“The party hereby advises you that this letter will serve as your last and final warning.”
When Clr Nhamarare was suspended, he was accused of defying a lawful order of the party in that he accepted the nomination of mayor of Mutare instead of backing the party’s preferred candidate, Clr Thomas Nyamupanedengu.
Contrary to the party’s directive that Clr Nyamupanedengu be elected as mayor and Clr Chisango as deputy mayor, Clr Nhamarare defied the directive and accepted to be nominated as mayor.

He was also accused of colluding and conspiring with certain Zanu-PF councillors and three other MDC-T councillors namely Mutare, Mupfura and Bhiza, to defy the party directive and elected Clr Mukwada of Zanu-PF as deputy mayor.

The party further charged that Clr Nhamarare, in his capacity as mayor, caused the publication of an advert in the local Press in which he congratulated President Robert Mugabe for resoundingly winning the harmonised election against the party’s assertions that the elections were rigged.