Chisango, through his lawyers Mthombeni, Mkwesha and
Muzawazi Legal Practitioners, has written to the Minister of Local Government
and Public Works, accusing the incumbent mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume of doing
Gomba’s bidding amid fears the ex-mayor could interfere with investigations
into suspected corruption.
Chisango claims there is serious infighting in council
which has affected service delivery.
Gomba and Chisango were arrested separately this year on
corruption allegations and are out on bail. Gomba was the first to be arrested
on July 22 on allegations of corruptly allocating land to undeserving
beneficiaries while Chisango was later picked up on September 10 on allegations
of illegally creating 14 residential stands in Kuwadzana without following due
process.
Gomba was then recalled from council in August while
Chisango was suspended after his arrest.
On November 2, Chisango’s lawyers wrote to Local Government
Minister July Moyo, seeking their client’s reinstatement on the basis that
council had not charged him. The lawyers argued that council should have
appointed a special committee in terms of Section 100 of Urban Councils Act, to
investigate their client if they had any case against him.
“The audit would outline any breach of processes and any
prejudice to council. These processes were not done, but council want to rely
on a report from municipal police.
“The current dynamics are that Gomba is still controlling
the same council activities through Negion Moyo (head of public safety) and Dr
Collen Tongoona (chief security officer). Gomba and some of the councillors who
were arrested still regard our client as a threat to their interest and are
therefore keen to keep him out through their people, Moyo and Tongoona,” said
the lawyers.
Chisango also took a swipe at Cllr Mafume saying: “The
current mayor, through his actions and inactions, also seems trapped in this
web, as he seems hesitant to decide on our client’s issue to law.
“He is a lawyer himself and these decisions should not be
difficult. He has a report that got to his desk unprocedurally, but fails to
take a decision. This just raises questions.”
In response, Gomba yesterday said Moyo and Tongoona were
employees who reported to the chamber secretary and he had no control over
them.
“I do not control council. Its illusionary to say I control
council simply because a person is being investigated by the Harare Municipal
Police whose mandate is to do that work,” he said.
“That is why Chisango doesn’t want Moyo because he asked
for authority to investigate him. He must not involve me in his dealings.”
Gomba further defended Moyo and Tongoona whom he said were
being attacked for merely doing their work.
Clr Mafume said he had nothing to do with Chisango’s
suspension, adding that it was triggered by police investigations.
He said council was waiting for police investigations and
an internal probe to be concluded before Chisango’s fate could be decided.
A fortnight ago, Minister Moyo warned council against
reinstating the arrested and suspended employees, saying there was no guarantee
they would not interfere with evidence or with witnesses who were among their
subordinates. Herald
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