Khupe, Chamisa scuffle cripples local authorities

THE turf war between MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe and her MDC Alliance rival Nelson Chamisa has left operations in the country's major cities and towns paralysed after she recalled a record 84 councillors among them three mayors in a single swoop, accusing them of crossing the floor.

The most affected cities are Harare, Bulawayo, Marondera, Gwanda, Beitbridge and Victoria Falls.

The recalls have effectively crippled Chamisa's party which controlled the majority of the country's 32 urban councils.

MDC-T spokesperson Khalipani Phugeni confirmed the recalls, insisting the party was simply following the law.

"We did recall eight councillors from Bulawayo for one reason, that they have since left the party. It might be sad, but we have to do this. Constitutionally, once one leaves the party, they cannot then claim to be our representatives in council," he said.

Khupe's party also recalled five councillors from Marondera and others from Victoria Falls amid reports that the axe would soon fall on Chitungwiza, Kwekwe, Mutare and Masvingo MDC Alliance councillors.

This follows the recall of 23 Harare councillors, who include former mayor Herbert Gomba, amid reports that the new mayor Jacob Mafume may face the axe, this time from his party the People's Democratic Party.

Marondera mayor Chengetai Murowa and four other councillors namely Size Vilela (ward 11), Charles Ngwena (ward 4), Wonder Siriya (ward 6) and Misheck Manyere (ward 5) were also axed.

Gwanda mayor Jastone Mazhale was also shown the exit door after refusing to pay allegiance to Khupe.

The affected Bulawayo councillors are Tinashe Kambarami (ward 3), Concillia Mlalazi (ward 18), Alderman Earnest Rafamoyo (ward 20), Tinevimbo Maphosa (ward 21), Alderman Norman Hlabani (ward 26), Alderman Clayton Zana (ward 19), Donaldson Mabuto (ward 9) and Lillian Mlilo (ward 16).

The former Deputy Prime Minister has been accused of pushing a Zanu-PF agenda targeting MDC Alliance elected officials with a view to pave way for a commission.

But Phugeni said the party was geared for by-elections and the matter would be settled by the people, dismissing allegations of pursuing a Zanu-PF agenda.

He said the narrative that the MDCT was working with Zanu-PF to appoint commissions was baseless as the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) had made an announcement for by-elections.

On Monday, the MDC-T acting leader recalled Beitbridge mayor Morgan Ncube and two other councillors, Granger Nyoni (ward 5) and Agnes Tore (ward 6).

The MDC-T leader recalled more than 20 MDC Alliance Members of Parliament, whom she claimed had ceased to be members of her party ever since the March 30 Supreme Court ruling that retained the 2014 structures after nullifying Chamisa's appointment by the late former MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai in 2016.

However, the MDC Alliance remained defiant yesterday, insisting that byelections would end the chaos.

Zec lifted the suspension of elections and will announce dates for holding of by-elections.

In lifting the suspension of electoral processes yesterday, Zec chairperson Priscilla Chigumba said: "The Zimbabwe Electoral Commission would like to inform the public that it has with immediate effect lifted the suspension of electoral activities following measures taken by the government to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic."

She said the electoral timelines for pending by-elections would be announced in due course, adding that stricter measures would be applied in all the processes.

MDC Alliance secretary for presidential affairs, Jameson Timba said the party would fight the recalls politically and legally.

"These unlawful actions are being allowed because there is a serious breakdown of the rule of law in Zimbabwe, further confirming the Zimbabwean crisis," Timba said.

"We will respond to the recalls legally and politically. Legally, we will do so to set the record straight and for posterity. Politically, we will end this Zanu-PF-Mwonzora-Khupe axis of madness by restoring the people's will in an election."