Tsholotsho villagers 'recall' councillor for corruption

IRATE villagers and traditional leaders from Tsholotsho's ward 13 are seeking recall of their councillor, accusing him of corruptly parcelling out their grazing lands to a local businessman.

The villagers accused councillor, Clemence Ndlovu (MDC-T) of facilitating the allocation of a piece of land in Makhwili Village in Godzo last year to businessman, Owen Sibanda, where he is building some structures.

Community members last year ran amok invading the area and destroying some of the structures, resulting in the arrest of close to 150 villagers.

In a letter addressed to the MDC-T Matabeleland North provincial chairperson, Leonard Mhlanga, the villagers labelled the councilor as a disservice to the community.

"In reference to the above member of your party, we regrettably inform you that councillor Clemence Ndlovu, who was voted by the community of ward 13, whose jurisdiction is under Chief Mathema, has lost confidence (sic) from the ward 13 community where he has been voted to council in the last elections (sic)," read the letter signed by chairperson of the Tsholotsho District Development Association and Headmen Tshaka (Charles Mazibisa).

"We, therefore, advise your office that councillor Ndlovu's actions in this regard are causing deep disaffection in Ward 13 communities and we have lost confidence in him and ask your office to recall him as he is no longer wanted by the communities that he is supposed to serve."

Although Mhlanga could not be reached for comment, Tshaka said the community had not yet received a response from the opposition party.

"We want the party to recall him over his involvement in the land dispute. We are still waiting for the party's response, but as Ward 13, we no longer want him as our councillor," Tshaka said yesterday.

He said the decision to recall the councillor followed a resolution adopted during a ward meeting held on December 6, and attended all ward 13 village heads. The meeting was chaired by Chief Magama.