By Shongedzai Mugwagwa
MDC Bulawayo city councillors have defied their boss, Nelson Chamisa’s directive to have the city’s Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube’s contract terminated.
Sources from the Morgan Tsvangirai House (MRTH) revealed that last week, Chamisa stormed the Bulawayo City Council fuming over the renewal of Dube’s contract without consulting him.
“Chamisa was furious over the decision by Bulawayo Councillors to have Dube’s contract renewed. Dube is accused of being pro-Zanu PF and Chamisa had demanded that the post be reserved for a pro-MDC person,” revealed a source who declined to be named.
Dube was once suspended over trumped up charges.
During the meeting, Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor Solomon Mguni defended the decision to renew Dube’s contract, citing that he (Dube) enjoys support of the residents.
“Chamisa was told that Bulawayo would be ungovernable if Dube was removed from his post. The meeting was told that Dube enjoys a good relationship with residents and a lot of stakeholders,” said the source who attended the meeting.
Mguni reportedly told Chamisa that apart from the support Dube has from the residents, he had performed exceptionally well during his first term.
“The Town Clerk performed very well during his first term. He has a lot of projects running such as the Bulawayo Water and Sewerage Rehabilitation which was never done since 1963 and accommodation projects. Instead of us firing him, we might use him to our own advantage,” exclained Mguni.
Apart from the residents’ support, Dube is said to enjoy cordial relations with stakeholders. In that respect, Mguni told Chamisa that removing him will stall the council’s operations.
“Removing a person who enjoys cordial relations with stakeholders will stall council’s work as the process will need a lot of time for a new person to have these contacts,” said Mguni.
Chamisa has of late been on an overdrive meddling in local authorities operations, firing Mayors in some instances. In Masvngo, Chamisa fired the entire executive committee for blocking his bid to impose a mayor of his choice. The same happened in Victoria Falls where the town mayor, Somvelo Dhlamini sued Chamisa after he forced him to step down.
