Delays in appointing Bulawayo deputy Mayor irks govt

THE Government has expressed concern over delays by the Bulawayo City Council (BCC) to appoint a new Deputy Mayor to replace expelled Mr Gift Banda saying this could jeopardise the smooth operations of the city.

Mr Banda was expelled from council in February following recommendations that were made by an Independent Tribunal that was set up by the Government to investigate a number of corruption allegations that were levelled against him and another former councillor, Mr Reuben Matengu.

In an interview on Friday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo, said it was worrying that the appointment of a new Deputy Mayor was dragging on for so long.

He said the fact that Mr Banda had further approached the High Court to challenge the findings of the tribunal was further complicating the whole matter.

"For any ship to function it needs its captain and a deputy to take over whenever the captain is busy or incapacitated. In this case BCC is operating with just its captain and no deputy which means they are crippled. Something really has to be done to ensure that the city gets a new Deputy Mayor to assist the Mayor, Councillor Martin Moyo.

"I further read in the papers that Mr Banda recently challenged the tribunal decision at the High Court, which further complicates everything because honestly it's delaying the whole process. It is my hope that the court challenge is concluded so that the city gets a substantive Deputy Mayor for them to function smoothly," said Eng Mlilo.

He said as the ministry, all they were interested in was that the Bulawayo City Council is run smoothly for the betterment of residents in the city who especially relied on the local authority to push developmental matters.

Mr Banda appeared before the Independent Tribunal for gross misconduct and mismanagement following his suspension in September 2016.

The embattled former Deputy Mayor had been cleared, by the Independent Tribunal, of any wrongdoing in the purchase of a piece of land at Ascot Racecourse for the construction of town houses but was instead found guilty of using his influence to acquire a lease for the construction of a social club at Hume Park.

In papers before the court, Mr Banda cited Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, BCC, the Independent Tribunal and its members Advocate Hilda Makusha Moyo, Midard Khumalo and Lucy Manhokwe as the respondents.

Mr Banda, who was represented by lawyers TJ Mabhikwa and Partners, is seeking an order nullifying the decision of the Independent Tribunal and an order declaring him not guilty of any act of misconduct. The axed Deputy Mayor wants the court to reinstate him to his council position without any loss of allowances and benefits.