Jerrison who was speaking on behalf of Councillor James at the commemorations of Workers Day held at Sakubva stadium on Sunday, said the councillors were fully behind James and would remain focused on improving service delivery to residents.
Jerrison warned that all councillors would resign in solidarity if Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo tried to suspend or fire the mayor.
We were surprised to see media reports that we want the mayor out. We support our mayor Brian James because he has initiated developmental projects which have helped us to get recognition as the cleanest city in the country. If minister Chombo tries to fire the mayor we will all resign, he said.
Jerrison was responding to a lead story carried by Manica Post that councillors wanted the mayor out because of his dictating policies at the local authority. The story blamed the mayor for sidelining decision passed by councillors and interfering in the administrative business of the local authority.
Councillors described it as cheap politicking that was meant to divert their attention of revamping the local authority and improve the lives of poor residents. MDC-T controls all Mutare`s 15 administrative wards.
The permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Rural and Urban development Killian Mupingo said he has not received a petition from the councillors.
Since his election to office, Brian James has been applauded by residents for improving service delivery in the city. The city is the first local authority to receive a US$1 million revolving fund from Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA).The local authority has so far purchased refuse collection trucks and upgraded the aged water and sewer system as part of its first phase of improving service delivery.
Residents interviewed by this paper said they were fully behind the mayor. We support our mayor because he has brought joy to our city. Everything has virtually collapsed due to mismanagement by former Zanu (PF) appointed commission but to date service delivery has significantly improved. We will protest if the minister tries to
interfere with our council. He should just book off, said Lenox Muchichwa of Magreka in Sakubva.
However, since the MDC took control of the local authority there has been interference by the local government minister, Ignatious Chombo, who is reported to have been trying to sneak some losing candidates back into the council chambers
through the back door.
Chombo is accused of trying to dilute the local authorities which were won by MDC by suspending and willingly firing democratically elected councillors.
Post published in: News