The MDC-T, which has for years been on a collision course with Local Government Minister Ignatious Chombo, has vowed to hit back at his ceaseless bullying and firing of its elected councillors and Mayors.
All MDC elected mayors and rural district council chairpersons are meeting in Harare on Wednesday, to plot a way to stop Chombos legendary meddling in council affairs. The meeting is expected to look at ways of restraining the wayward Chombo from inflicting damage to the smooth running of almost all towns and cities in Zimbabwe.
The MDC accuses Chombo, a former University of Zimbabwe lecturer, of corruption and of trying to cover up his vast accumulation of wealth by unilaterally suspending or dismissing any councillors who speak out against his actions. His vast wealth straddles across every town and city in the country. His grand plan, according to the MDC, is to go after elected mayors and councillors, as he believes they are a threat to his political lifeline.
His modus operandi has been the same countrywide. Bindura, Kariba, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Chegutu, Mutare and Chitungwiza have all felt Chombos meddling, which the MDC has said is all designed to protect his vast interests and a personal fortune.
The deputy Mayor of Harare, Emmanuel Chiroto confirmed the meeting during an interview with SW Radio Africa on Tuesday. He said the meeting would also look at other problems being faced by local authorities. A statement issued by the MDC on Tuesday said Wednesdays meeting was a follow-up to another held last year under the banner of the Democratic Mayors Forum. During that gathering council leaders recommended a parliamentary inquiry into Chombos actions, arguing that any delays are likely to see a total disruption of local authorities.
Since ZANU PF lost the 29 March 2008 elections, Chombo has sought to interfere with the running of local authorities, intimidating progressive and hard-working councils and dismissing councillors he dislikes under the selective cover of sections of the Urban Councils Act.
In Harare, for instance, Chombo has so far unsuccessfully tried to frustrate a comprehensive probe into a string of land corruption scandals in which ZANU PF officials and him are deeply involved. Attempts by the council to file charges against Chombo with the police have attracted a mealie-mouthed response and was officially ignored by the ZRP, the MDC statement added.
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