Councillors Luckson Mukunguma and Stewart Mutizwa are both
operating as acting mayors, following the return of Mukunguma who is facing
criminal abuse of office charges. He was suspended by the Local Government
minister July Moyo.
Mutizwa was acting following the suspension of Mukunguma
after an order was issued that all those facing criminal charges should be
suspended.
Mukunguma last week confirmed he was back in office despite
a ministerial directive claiming otherwise.
“Today, the 14th of January, 2021, I have received an
instruction from my legal counsel to go back to work after some correspondence
with the ministry,” Mukunguma said.
But Mutizwa yesterday said there was need to immediately
address the chaos at Town House as it was affecting service delivery,
especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The confusion at Town House continues,” Mutizwa curtly
said. “I am still there, but I have paved way for my senior who says he is
back. I would not want to cause more confusion.”
Mukunguma’s return has divided council with observers
saying it was illegal to challenge a suspension by a minister by bulldozing
one’s way in.
Town clerk Hosea Chisango also bulldozed his way into
office at a time when the director of works, Zvenyika Chawatama was acting. Chisango
was arrested last week on fresh charges.
The city has been divided into camps that are battling to
control the local authority. Mutizwa said the confusion at Town House was bad
for service delivery at a time of COVID-19.
“Service delivery is suffering and we need some form of
stability now. We have a pandemic and we need water to wash hands, which is a
recommendation by the World Health Organisation. We must try to do our roads
properly because COVID-19 needs quick transportation of people to hospitals,
but now it’s all confusion,” he said.
Since last year, Harare has witnessed recalls of mayors
that included Herbert Gomba. The current mayor Jacob Mafume was elected to
replace him. Mafume was arrested and subsequently suspended, a development that
led to Mukunguma, his deputy, being appointed mayor.
Mukunguma was also arrested and suspended, leaving Mutizwa
in charge.
Local Government deputy minister Marian Chombo is yet to
respond to questions sent by NewsDay concerning the drama at town house.
Newsday
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