News / Regional
MDC-T chickens out on Kombayi
08 Apr 2014 at 07:27hrs | Views
MDC-T spokesperson Douglas Mwonzora says Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi will remain in office until the outcome of his appeal against suspension.
Kombayi was suspended along with four other councillors who include deputy mayor Artwell Matyorauta, Tawanda Magidi (Ward 16), Farai Muza (Ward 17) and Moses Marecha (Ward 5) in October last year for defying orders to rally behind party nominees Charles Chikozho for the mayoral post and Kenneth Sithole as his deputy.
Kombayi was given until the end of December last year to resign as mayor, but he again defied the directive and stayed put.
Mwonzora said until a verdict had been delivered by the party's national disciplinary committee on his appeal, Kombayi would remain Gweru mayor.
"The verdict on the appeal might be in his favour or against, but until it is there, he remains the legitimate mayor of the City of Gweru as recognised by the party," Mwonzora said on the sidelines of a rally at Mkoba Stadium on Sunday.
Mwonzora could, however, not reveal when the disciplinary committee outcome would be delivered.
The party's directive that Kombayi relinquishes the mayoral post has caused divisions within the MDC-T in the Midlands province.
Despite the stance to suspend him, Kombayi attended the rally and chanted the party's slogan on behalf of other mayors in the Midlands and pledged his support for Tsvangirai.
Kombayi was suspended along with four other councillors who include deputy mayor Artwell Matyorauta, Tawanda Magidi (Ward 16), Farai Muza (Ward 17) and Moses Marecha (Ward 5) in October last year for defying orders to rally behind party nominees Charles Chikozho for the mayoral post and Kenneth Sithole as his deputy.
Kombayi was given until the end of December last year to resign as mayor, but he again defied the directive and stayed put.
Mwonzora said until a verdict had been delivered by the party's national disciplinary committee on his appeal, Kombayi would remain Gweru mayor.
"The verdict on the appeal might be in his favour or against, but until it is there, he remains the legitimate mayor of the City of Gweru as recognised by the party," Mwonzora said on the sidelines of a rally at Mkoba Stadium on Sunday.
Mwonzora could, however, not reveal when the disciplinary committee outcome would be delivered.
The party's directive that Kombayi relinquishes the mayoral post has caused divisions within the MDC-T in the Midlands province.
Despite the stance to suspend him, Kombayi attended the rally and chanted the party's slogan on behalf of other mayors in the Midlands and pledged his support for Tsvangirai.
Source - Southern Eye
