MDC-T suspends 5 councillors for selling out

The MDC-T has suspended five of its councillors in Karoi, including the council chairman, after accusing them of selling out by allegedly engineering the suspension of a fellow councillor.

Council chairman Mr Casmel Pemhiwa (Ward 8); Mr Nicholas Chigwende (Ward 5); Modester Majinjiwa (Ward 3); Mr Elijah Masakure (Ward 1) and Mr Solomon Chiwaya (Ward 10) were suspended by the party's Hurungwe central district leadership at a meeting at Chikangwe Hall a fortnight ago.

One of the councillors, who preferred anonymity, said the resolution was passed at the instigation of Ward 2 Councillor Mr David Mutambirwa who had earlier been suspended by Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo on charges of improper conduct in the execution of his duties as a councillor.
 
The five are accused of advocating for the suspension of Mr Mutambirwa at a meeting called to deliberate the case of misconduct.

Mr Mutambirwa, who is also MDC-T chairman for Hurungwe Central district under which the five councillors operate, refused to comment when contacted last Friday.
 
Mr Pemhiwa, however, said: "The issue of Mutambirwa's suspension should never be politicised at all. I am surprised to hear these allegations making the rounds.

"The case is purely a professional one.
 
"Councillors serve the interests of the residents and are also guided by laid down codes of conduct which warrant them to be charged should they violate them."
 
He went on to say that any councillor who violated the code of conduct was liable for disciplinary action.

"No one can whatsoever prevent any disciplinary action against a councillor who violates provisions in the Urban Councils Act.

"Although I did not attend the meeting that deliberated on Mutambirwa's case, the matter was handled professionally as everything done was above board with no politics at play," he added.