On Tuesday, 10 councillors wrote to acting mayor Kiven
Mutimbanyoka advising him to call for elections to fill the vacant post
following the recall of Maiko by the MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora.
Muguti wrote to the Chitungwiza Municipality blocking the
polls.
“We are also aware that a group of councillors challenged
the Local Government minister (July Moyo) following the appointment of
Mutimbanyoka as deputy mayor. Until there is a judgment on the matter, he will
continue to discharge his duties as acting mayor,” Muguti said in his letter.
“However, section 103(4) of the Urban Council Act mandates
that councillors present at a meeting of the councillors held not later than 30
days after such a vacancy elect a successor who shall serve for the unexpired
term of office of his or her predecessor.
“Given the foregoing by-elections, it is advisable that
elections of the mayor be held after by-elections, but within 30 days to also
accommodate the democratic rights of the in-coming councillors who would have
been elected. Any councillor who undermines the Urban Councils Act (Chapter
29:15) by acts of omission or commission will be charged with abuse of office.”
Muguti told NewsDay that he was not opposed to the
elections, adding that he wrote to the municipality advising the city fathers
“what needs to be done” before polls are held.
“We have not blocked the elections, but actually asked them
(councillors) to go ahead. The election needs to be done within 30 days, but it
is advisable that they incorporate incoming councillors. So it is within 30 days,
but the discretion is to the acting mayor. Unfortunately, the councillors are
not recognising Mutimbanyoka,” he said. Newsday
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