Kasukuwere fires councilors

Saviour Kasukuwere Local Government minister has fired two Gweru councilors accused of corruption, sparking fears the Zanu-PF commissar wants to weaken the opposition led local authority.

Albert Chirau and Moses Marecha were found guilty of corruption and abuse of council funds following an investigation instituted by Kasukuwere's predecessor Ignatius Chombo.

The fired councillors are Albert Chirau of Ward 11 and Moses Marecha of Ward 5, both of the MDC-T who were on suspension.

The duo received their expulsion letters yesterday while a third councillor, Kenneth Sithole of Ward 4 received a final written warning.

Chirau and Marecha confirmed receiving the letters of dismissal from Kasukuwere but refused to comment directing The Chronicle to their party spokesperson, Obert Gutu. Sithole, who was also on suspension for allegedly assaulting a council employee, was found not guilty by the courts but issued with a final warning by Kasukuwere.

Kasukuwere used Section 114 (1) Chapter 9:15 of the Urban Councils Act to fire the councillors. It states that the Local Government Minister can suspend and dismiss a councillor after an independent committee thoroughly inquired into the councillor's misconduct prior to dismissal.

Prior to their dismissal, Chirau and Marecha had been first suspended and ordered to stop conducting council duties in their respective wards until the outcome of the investigations conducted by the Ministry.

The suspension letter dated May 21 was also copied to city Mayor, Clr Hamutendi Kombayi and the Town Clerk, Daniel Matawu.