Mupfumi calls for dismissal of Mutare city council top brass

Dangamvura/Chikanga Member of Parliament Isau Mupfumi

Addressing Zanu PF supporters who had gathered at the Civic Centre yesterday demonstrating against Town Clerk Obert Muzawazi and his management team, Mupfumi said the management at the local authority must resign or fired.

Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere last week presented a report on investigations carried out at the local authority by officials from his ministry.

Kasukuwere said the report had exposed rampant corruption in the allocation of stands and handling of cash.

“Corruption is rampant here and that must stop. How can the managers spent such huge ratepayers money be channeled for paying expensive school and university fees for the management. We have some children who are not going to school for not paying $40 fees but we have such people spending thousands of dollars,” Mupfumi said.

“We are now following all the procedures that will lead to the expulsion of these people. We cannot allow that happen because our city is dying as a result of these people,” added Mupfumi.

“The operations of this council are unsustainable. If this is allowed to go on, the city will be in serious trouble. The council is in serious financial difficulties. You have not been paying council employees for too long but the managers here are enjoying life. No no no this is the not the way the council should operate?” Kasukuwere queried.

Kasukuwere has urged the councillors to read the report and recommend the way forward.

“I, therefore, want to urge the councillors to go through the report and make their decisions and recommendation, then I will make mine,”

he said.

He said in some instances, council managers awarded themselves subsidised loans equivalent to nine months’ salaries and went on council-subsidised foreign trips and holidays. The council’s top brass was also accused of enrolling their children at expensive schools and universities with the local authority footing the bills.

“You have to pull this council from the brink of disaster. The city is in dire straits and we are not going to look aside and watch it decaying. This document makes sad reading. If we were in an examination, I would give this city a fail. You have failed,” said Kasukuwere.

Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhamarare promised to go through the report and collectively forward their own recommendations to Kasukuwere.