Makoni RDC chairman Guy Mutasa suspended

LOCAL Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando has cracked the whip and suspended Makoni Rural District Council chairman, Alderman David Guy Mutasa following the local authority’s resistance to an investigation sanctioned by the ministry.

Ald Mutasa, who represents Ward 38 in Makoni was handed his suspension letter on Wednesday morning by officials from the ministry.

Minister Chitando had dispatched an investigation team to look into how the local authority acquired land in Nyazura which it went on to develop into residential, business and agro-residential plots.

The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries,

Water and Rural Development is also claiming entitlement to the land in question. The team failed to execute its mission after Ald Mutasa allegedly connived with the chief executive officer, Dr Edward Pise to engage the local authorities’ lawyers Warara and Associates to challenge the probe. Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Gabriel

Masvora yesterday (Thursday) confirmed Ald Mutasa’s suspension.

Mr Masvora said Ald Mutasa’s suspension was in the best interest of ensuring sound local governance.

“It is true that the Makoni Rural District Council chairman, David Guy Mutasa was suspended by Minister Chitando for the reasons outlined in the suspension letter. We will keep you updated on the matter,” said Mr Masvora.

The suspension letter, a copy of which this publication has in its possession, was written on March 21, 2024, and reads: “Pursuant to the challenge of my appointment of an investigation team to look into matters of layout approval and subsequent developments in Nyazura through the council lawyers Warara and Associates I do hereby suspend you, with immediate effect from the Office of Councillor for Ward 38 of Makoni Rural District Council, in terms of Section 157 (1) of the Rural District Councils Act, (Chapter 29: 13), as amended by Section 3 of the Local Government Laws Amendment Act Number 8 of 2016. Note that this suspension

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