According to minutes of a council meeting held on May 23, Kombayi was also stripped of powers to authorise travel and subsistence allowances in a motion moved by MDC-T councillor Charles Chikozho and seconded by Zanu (PF) councillor Tiripayi Chipondeni.
Only two months ago, council passed a resolution to allow Kombayi together with Finance Committee Chairperson Albert Chirau to perform these duties on the basis that there was need for checks and balances in order "to protect ratepayers' money".
Sources told The Zimbabwean that the stripping of Kombayi's powers was part of a plot hatched a couple of months ago by a group of MDC-T councillors who wanted Chikozho to take up the mayoral position as per the party’s directive last year.
“They have also won support from the three Zanu (PF) councillors,” said the source.
Another source said the aggrieved councillors were also furious that Kombayi refused to allow them to claim overnight allowances when they visited the recent Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
Chikozho denies having any links to the reports, saying his conduct at Town House is now purely professional and is motivated by interests of residents instead of politics.
Kombayi said those wishing to see his back were mobilising residents to turn up the heat on him for alleged poor service delivery.
Cornelia Selipiwe, the Gweru Residents and Ratepayers' chairperson, urged unity among the warring city fathers. "What we want to see as residents is unity of purpose on the part of the councillors. They should rise above the squabbles and deliberate on how they can end the water shortage problem, how potholes can be patched and how best to improve refuse collection, among other challenges," he said.
Post published in: News