Mushore indaba deferred – again

Innocent Ruwende Municipal Reporter
The crunch Harare City Council special meeting, which was expected to send former NMB chief executive Mr James Mushore packing, after the city jumped the gun in appointing him as its new town clerk, has been moved to tomorrow following the passing on of Glen View councillor Farai Muzhinyi. The city had rescheduled the meeting to send Mr Mushore on leave, while council awaits the court ruling on the matter, to yesterday.

However, the indaba has since been rescheduled for the second time.

Acting Mayor Christopher Mbanga confirmed the meeting had been postponed because of the bereavement.

“I can confirm the special council meeting has been postponed due to the passing on of councillor Muzhinyi who was a natural leader who hailed from the “grassroots”. He was driven by a passion for service delivery.”

Government rescinded the appointment of Mr Mushore soon after a council meeting that announced his appointment, saying council flouted procedures of appointing a town clerk as outlined in the Urban Councils Act and the Local Government Board.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere had told the city that the appointment of the former banker was illegal, but the defiant council proceeded to give Mr Mushore the job.

The Mayor, Clr Bernard Manyenyeni, was suspended for unprocedurally appointing Mr Mushore and is challenging his suspension at the High Court.

On Monday the Combined Harare Residents’ Association (CHRA) filed an urgent chamber application at the High Court seeking to interdict the city from holding the special council meeting to expel Mr Mushore.

Last week Harare councillors boycotted an Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) meeting in Bulawayo after Mr Mushore made a surprise appearance to represent the city as its town clerk.

The councillors, who were led by Acting Mayor Mr Mbanga, failed to eject Mr Mushore from the meeting.

Mr Mushore confirmed the development and accused Clr Mbanga of “making an unnecessary scene.”

The city says Mr Mushore’s case is still before the courts and he cannot report for duty until determination of matters before the courts.

However, Mr Mushore insists that it was his constitutional right to report to work and he would only stop doing so if the court or council ruled other- wise.