DAGGERS have been drawn between the MDC-T Manicaland
provincial executive and the newly-appointed Mutare town clerk Joshua Maligwa,
after the latter recently publicly declared his allegiance to Zanu PF.
Maligwa recently told hundreds of Mutare residents that he
was a Zanu PF supporter and the remarks did not go down well with MDC-T, which
immediately accused him of using his position to advance the ruling party’s
agenda.
“Maligwa is digging his own grave, a man of his position
ought to know better that his job doesn’t allow him to pronounce his political
affiliation,’’ MDC-T provincial spokesperson and Mutasa Central legislator,
Trevor Saruwaka said.
“It’s a public secret that all top council and government
positions are packed by Zanu PF cardholders, but only the foolish ones openly
beat their chest supporting the stinking association. Mutare’s poor performance
is linked more to Zanu PF’s incompetence, ruinous policies, tolerance of
corruption, favouritism and outright theft than anything else,’’ he said.
“I used to take Maligwa seriously, but now I know that
instead of a town clerk we have a town clown running the show in Mutare. We are
going to respond to the political shenanigans if he chooses to advance a Zanu
PF agenda in our provincial capital.
MDC-T Manicaland chairman David Chimhini said he was
briefed about the matter by Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare.
“I have been briefed by the mayor. It is alleged that the
town clerk made utterances to that effect at a public meeting. Mayor Nhamarare
raised the issue with the town clerk, who is denying having made such
utterances,’’ he said.
“If indeed the town clerk made such utterances, it is very
unfortunate and is going over bounds his mandate as a civil servant. The full
council will have to ask the town clerk to respond and explain the
circumstances,’’ he said.
“As the party running the affairs we don’t expect the civil
servants to publicly declare their political allegiance. Such behaviour
compromises the fair discharge of duties and indeed raises questions around the
relationship between the MDC-T mayor who is supposed to supervise the town
clerk,’’ he added.
Mutare City Council is dominated by the opposition party
councillors.
Maligwa has already received praises from top Zanu PF
officials including Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere,
Dangamvura/Chikanga MP Esau Mupfumi and Manicaland Provincial Affairs minister
Mandiitawepi Chimene, who credited him for changing the face of the local
authority since his appointment in April this year.
The town clerk could not be reached for comment yesterday.
Newsday
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