23 rebel Chitungwiza clrs expelled

MDC

MDC-T yesterday expelled 23 Chitungwiza councillors from its ranks for defying a party directive to elect Dr Vincent Gwaradzimba as mayor to replace the fired Israel Marange.

However, while the 23 cease being party members, they remain councillors and can choose to be either independents or join any other political formation.

This is the first time in Zimbabwe’s history that a party has expelled all its councillors and in the process wilfully surrendered control of a local authority.

In the past, Government has relieved councillors of their duties but parties have never sacked all their municipal representatives in one fell swoop.

MDC-T said they would approach Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo to explore the possibility of having fresh elections in Chitungwiza.

Such a request is unlikely to be granted, with Minister Chombo yesterday saying: "They have not been fired by the people. This is just one of those internal party differences.

"Political infighting will not affect their standing as councillors. As Government, we can only fire them if they flout the Urban Councils’ Act, which they have not done."

MDC-T spokesman Mr Nelson Chamisa yesterday confirmed the expulsions, but insisted the move was prompted by allegations of corruption and not their snub to the leadership by refusing to elect Dr Gwaradzimba.

"We have expelled all the councillors from the party on account of omissions and commissions relating to a deficit in good governance," he said.

Mr Chamisa said they met nearly 3 000 ward delegates in Chitungwiza and unanimously agreed to expel the councillors without affording them an opportunity to be heard. A ward is the MDC-T’s smallest organ, Zanu-PF’s equivalent being the cell.

"We will appeal for fresh elections. These councillors no longer have the mandate of the people. The Minister of Local Government has to respect the will of the people. We do not think the minister will protect the damaged apples," Mr Chamisa said.

On Monday, the councillors elected Alderman Philimon Chipiyo as mayor and Clr Rangarirai Mutingwende, who was already suspended from the party, as deputy mayor.

The leadership wanted Dr Gwaradzimba, MDC-T’s secretary for lands, instead. The national executive met on Wednesday and recommended the councillors’ expulsion.

Minister Chombo yesterday said: "There is nothing at law that says once a political party disowns its own councillors, they should cease to represent their wards in council.

"We will recognise them. It is unfortunate their party cannot remove them from council.

"They will remain councillors without a party. Internal differences do not matter to us. As far as we are concerned, this remains a party affair. It is not a local government issue."

He said Government would not interfere in MDC-T’s internal squabbles. Minister Chombo said Ald Chipiyo and Clr Mutingwende paid a courtesy call on him on Wednesday and pledged to work with Government.