INCOMING Bulawayo ward 24 councillor, Arnold Batirai Dube,
faces a recall after he allegedly caused chaos during the swearing-in of city
fathers in council chambers yesterday.
Dube, a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), won
the seat on an MDC Alliance ticket.
The incoming councillor arrived late and drew the ire of
the packed gallery after he went on to refuse to take an oath in English.
He also had a heated exchange with residents in the
gallery, shouting obscenities at them after they called him to order after
suspecting that he was drunk.
The ceremony was proceeding smoothly, only for pandemonium
to break out over Dube’s conduct.
PDP vice-president Kucaca Phulu and party deputy national
chairperson Sonny Phiri said the councillor would be dragged to a disciplinary
hearing.
“It is unfortunate and obviously unacceptable. It’s not
something that we can condone. We will get to the bottom of the matter because
Bulawayo people will not accept that kind of behaviour,” Phulu said.
“I will ask him to submit a report, which I will later take
up with the party leadership. We have a constitution and it will guide us on
the way forward, but definitely, we will take action.”
According to the council programme, Dube had been marked
absent only to arrive at the last minute when the last councillor was being
sworn-in.
Dube was then called to the podium where he took his oath
and immediately afterwards started exchanging harsh words with residents.
Scores of residents, who had come to witness proceedings,
called for his immediate removal, saying his behaviour was uncalled for and did
not reflect that of a city father.
Alderman Amen Mpofu said: “It is disappointing to see a
leader fighting those who voted for him. We do not condone such kind of
behaviour, considering that as a councillor, he must have respect for the
people who voted for him.”
Some residents are now threatening to block Dube from
attending future council meetings.
But Dube was unapologetic about his behaviour.
“I will not be moved. How many languages are in this
country? The Constitution says there are 16 languages and I have a right to use
whatever language I want.”
The incoming deputy mayor and mayor will be sworn-in on
Tuesday. Newsday
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