Suspended Harare Mayor, aide have invades mayoral office

Suspended Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and his aide have occupied the mayoral office, claiming that his suspension has ended, but his vehicle and the driver are still working for the acting mayor, Stewart Mutizwa. Both "mayors" yesterday claimed they were in charge of the city with confusion marring on who will chair a full council meeting reportedly scheduled for today.

Contacted, Mafume said at law his suspension had lapsed, making him the rightful city mayor.

"The position at law is that when one is under suspension and if it lapse, he or she automatically resumes his former position.

"My suspension lapsed way back, but I was only sorting out some few things before resuming my work. Anyone who masquerades as the mayor is abusing the law as there is a danger that resolutions they make may be nullified," he said. Clr Mutizwa also said he was still the city's mayor.  "I am still in charge of the city until I am officially communicated to, up to now there are no changes," he said.

A well-placed source at the Town House said the councillors were divided on the mayoral issue.

"Tomorrow (today) we will see who will chair a full council meeting also putting into picture the issue of a quorum as the councillors are now few since the suspensions and recalls that happened last year," said the source.

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo last year suspended Mafume both as a mayor and a councillor pending the outcome of his criminal trials, including the allocation of council stands to his sister and law firm's secretary. The other case involved bribing a potential key witness.

Clr Mutizwa was appointed the city's mayor unanimously following the arrest, recall and suspension of successive mayors, including Herbert Gomba and his deputy Enock Mupamawonde.  Their successors, Mafume and his deputy Luckson Mukunguma were also arrested and suspended.