July Moyo cracks whip on Mayors; Councilors

Minister of Local Government July Moyo has written to the Mayors and Councilors advising them that they do not have power to reconstitute the leadership of any Municipality and Chairpersons of Committees.

This comes after some newly and reelected Councilors in various cities, towns and RDCs were mooting a re-election on Mayors and some Chairpersons of Committees.

In Bulawayo, a certain grouping of Councilors was accused of plotting to pass a vote of no confidence and remove the embattled Mayor Solomon Madala Mguni.

Said Moyo, "Reference is made to the Just recently concluded By Elections conducted by ZEC wherein the results have been announced. As I congratulate the new Councillors who have been elected, may I take this opportunity to remind councils that this was not a general election and as such the sitting Mayors, Deputy Mayors, Chairpersons of Committees and their deputies remain as constituted prior to the By Election."

Moyo added that Council leadership can only be removed through an independent tribunal.

"In terms of Section 114 of the Local Government Laws Amendment our Number 8 of 2016, a Mayor, Deputy Mayor or Councillor can only be removed from his position through an independent tribunal or through Section 129 of the Constitution.

"You are therefore advised that you councils cannot reconstitute the leadership architecture in place unless there is a vacancy. Be guided accordingly."

Commenting on the memo, Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume said, "Service delivery can't be achieved where Minister July Moyo interferes at this level.They want to keep committees of corruption .This is what is killing service delivery."