MDC-T forces Harare deputy mayor Mbanga to resign

The MDC-T has forced the resignation of Harare deputy mayor Christopher Mbanga over his decision to side with Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere in the battle for the town clerk's post.

In his resignation letter to party secretary - general Douglas Mwonzora, Mbanga said he had been under pressure to quit.

"I can confirm we received a resignation letter from Councillor Mbanga indicating that he was stepping down as deputy mayor for Harare. We will be meeting tomorrow (today) as the standing committee to select who will replace him," Mwonzora said.

Mbanga found himself in trouble with his party after he defied its directive not to effect Kasukuwere's order to send James Mushore packing soon after his appointment as town clerk.

Government rejected Mushore's appointment on allegations that the local authority had not followed laid-down procedure in recruiting the city's top official.

According to insiders, the MDC-T had made a decision to direct its councillors to vote for Enock Mupamawonde as Mbanga's replacement.

Mbanga was also accused of supping with Kasukuwere, who is Zanu-PF political commissar, a move many in the opposition allege is tantamount to being a sell-out.

MDC-T councillors alleged Kasukuwere was using Mbanga to divide them, a charge he strenuously denied.