Chombo to work with expelled MDC-T mayors

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Ignatius Chombo, says government will continue working with elected mayors and councillors, even if they are expelled by their parties.

Dr Chombo's comments follow reports that the MDC-T is pursuing its agenda of flushing out mayors and councillors who defied the party's directive to vote for mayoral candidates imposed by the party.

He said the MDC-T is not supposed to dictate to councillors what decisions they should take adding that council chamber business must entirely be handled by elected councillors and not their respective parties.

There are reports that the MDC-T is threatening to expel newly installed Gweru Mayor Councillor Hamutendi Kombayi and ten councillors.

Last week the party dismissed the newly elected mayor for Mutare, Councillor Tatenda Nhamarare and three councillors.

Dr Chombo said his ministry will continue to enforce the urban Council's Act which is further supported by the new supreme law of the land and is clear that anyone who is going to run council must be elected by the people.

The MDC-T was left with egg on the face after its councillors in Victoria Falls, Kwekwe and Red Cliff voted for Zanu-PF candidates ahead of those that had been handpicked by the party but were not elected councillors.