Mutare mayoral elections postponed
THE postponement of the elections to elect a new mayor for Mutare is shrouded in controversy, amid stunning revelations that it is part of a grand plan to buy time and pave way for either the eventual reinstatement of the recalled candidate or disadvantage a popular candidate who is currently a sitting councillor, The Manica Post can reveal.
Mutare was supposed to have a new mayor on Tuesday following the recalling of three councillors, including the mayor, but the elections were postponed under unclear circumstances.
The mastermind behind the recall of the Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) National Assembly representatives, Mr SengezoTshabangu struck again recently, this time recalling 52 more councillors from 15 local authorities, including Mutare.
Three sitting CCC councillors who were recalled include Ward Eight councillor, Ms Sophia Gwasira, who had been elected mayor of Mutare, her deputy, Mr Claude Nengomasha (Ward 12) and Mr Simon Mapuvire (Ward Five).
“I wish to inform you that on November 16, I received a communique from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, informing council of the decision by the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) to the effect that you are no longer a member of the same. The termination of your membership automatically means your recall from the office of the councillor,” reads a letter to Ms Gwasira signed by the Acting Town Clerk, Mr Blessing Chafesuka.
Mr Chafesuka who is away on leave could not be reached for comment, while the acting Town Clerk as well as Housing and Community Services Director, Ms Emma Mandiziba was not reachable.
CCC Mutare Urban Cluster chairperson and recalled Dangamvura legislator, Mr Prosper Mutseyami was also not available.
However, investigations by The Manica Post revealed that there is more to the last minute postponement of the mayoral election than what meets the eye.
The inexplicable delays for electing a new mayor for Mutare is also understood to be aimed at buying time so that by-elections can be held before the mayoral elections and possibly the recalled mayor bounces back.
According to a dossier prepared by Mr Tshabangu, the recalled councillors had lost primary elections, but were imposed for different reasons.
“This report is a product of an intensive inquiry into the candidate selection processes conducted in the party. It is not exhaustive and members of the party with more information can contribute to it. There were various kinds of offences that are unacceptable for democrats, among them factionalism, tribalism, nepotism, corruption and bribery.
“Some of the offences are just sheer thuggery and violent behaviour. Party members generally feel used. The party suggested that those who were actively recruiting voters under mugwazo (targeted campaign) would find safe passage to become candidates. The opposite happened.
“Upon returning from the rural areas where they were campaigning using their personal resources, they found new and unknown candidates contesting in their own constituencies. Eventually these new candidates were imposed on the people.
“Of bigger concern is the use of sex to decide internal party contests. The recommendation is to open a full inquiry to look at all the allegations involving sexual relations and establish if their transactions were consensual among other violations of women’s rights.
“The party will invite women’s organisations to get to the bottom of these issues. Considerations to initiate criminal proceedings if any sexual offences were committed in the process are being made.
“The party should never be a place where women are abused by men for any reason whatsoever,” reads part of the dossier that contains the list of targeted Members of the House of Assembly and councillors, some of whom have already been recalled.
Mr Tshabangu communicated the recall of the affected councillors to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, before the MrNelson Chamisa-led party was granted a High Court interim interdict barring further recalls.