Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni remains Harare Mayor after
attempts by MDC-T Harare Province to recall him flopped. Clr Manyenyeni learnt
of his party’s decision to recall him through social media and had accepted his
fate.
MDC-T sources revealed that although Harare Province had
written to the party’s National Executive Council highlighting their position,
the top MDC-T body seemed to favour Clr Manyenyeni’s leadership. Procedures
involved in recalling a councillor could have deterred the MDC-T from moving on
Clr Manyenyeni’s case.
According to the Urban Councils Act, Clr Manyenyeni had to
cease being a member of the opposition for the Minister of Local Government,
Public Works and National Housing to accept a letter recalling him. The
procedures of recalling councillors are similar to those of Members of
Parliament.
“The bid to oust the Mayor seems to be hectic than what the
councillors anticipated because if he refuses to resign on his own accord, they
have to expel him from the party, which the MDC-T does not want to do,” said
the source.
MDC-T Harare provincial chairperson and Highfield East
legislator Mr Eric Murai yesterday said he could not comment on the matter as
he was attending Mr Tsvangirai funeral.
Efforts to contact Clr Manyenyeni were also fruitless. On
Monday, Clr Manyenyeni confirmed that he was still to receive a letter from the
MDC-T recalling him.
Last week, he said the MDC-T and the city were on very
difficult terrain and it would be irresponsible of him to escalate both
scenarios by challenging or appealing his recall.
In a letter to Mr Murai, Clr Manyenyeni said: “I do not
have anything official as yet. If this is indeed true it is a decision that I
would accept with loyalty and submission. The opportunity to serve the city at
its weakest has been an honour I should always be humbled by.
“Please, extend a word of thanks to the entire leadership
and members for this flagship assignment.”
MDC-T said it had recalled the Ward 17 councillor for
allegedly failing to implement party directives at Town House.
The party’s provincial executive said Clr Manyenyeni would
continue serving Ward 17 as a councillor, while deputy mayor Clr Enock
Mupamawonde took over. Herald
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