Chombo appoints his kith and kin to investigate Gwanda mayor - MDC

The Welshman Ncube led MDC has lashed out at Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo for appointing a team of investigators for the suspended Gwanda mayor composed of people outside Matabeleland.

MDC said the team is suspicious and it would drain funds from the municipally through accommodation, travel allowances and other benefits.

Chombo suspended Lionel De Necker on allegations of being insubordinate among other issues.

"MDC has received information on the appointment of a team to investigate the Mayor of Gwanda Lionel De Necker. The MDC is not amused though not bewildered at the suspicious composition of the team as it is in keeping with the general strategy long adopted by Minister Chombo as Zanu-PF's point person in the destabilisation of the urban councils over which they have no electoral mandate.

"It is curious though that despite the presence of highly qualified and experienced people in local government and related matters in the region in general and Matabeleland South in particular, Minister Chombo chose his kith and kin that have lack of depth on the issues that pertain to Gwanda, party spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube said.

 Chombo's team is led by a Hungwe,, a deputy director of the Urban Local Authority, Harare banker Fortune Mutete and Bindura District Administrator Mike Mazai.

Dube said the cost of investigating De Necker to be funded by residents "is very high considering the travel, accommodation and other allowances to be used by the investigation team."

"We wish to put it on record that this team as chosen by Chombo is highly contemptuous of the citizens of Gwanda and smirks of 'a job for the boys' type venture," added Dube.