by Innocent Mujeri
Thirteen (13) Harare councillors aligned to the embattled MDC-Alliance leader, Nelson Chamisa are set to exit the Town House following a decision by the MDC-T to recall all renegades, the Harare Post can report.
An insider within the MDC-T camp told this publication that the reinstated MDC-T Secretary General, Douglas Mwonzora, held a meeting with other party leaders over the weekend, where a recommendation was made to recall 13 councillors and subsequently expel them.
According to the same insider, the list of the councillors has been submitted to the National Standing Committee for consideration and final endorsement.
“Thirteen councillors including Mayor Herbert Gomba have been shortlisted for recall from Harare city council. These councillors have chosen to align themselves with the Chamisa-led MDC Alliance and this will cost them their seats as the party is shipping out all elements who are defying the Supreme Court’s ruling that reinstated Dr Thokozani Khupe as the bonafide acting president of the MDC-T,” said the insider.
This publication also learnt that some councillors who had gotten wind of the intended recall have quickly rushed to align themselves with the powerful Khupe faction in order to save their political careers.
Some of the councillors have already crossed the floor to the MDC-T and these include Clifton Zumba (Ward 38), Tichaona Mhetu (Ward 15) and Luckson Mukunguma (Ward 25). The trio attended Mwonzora’s meeting held over the weekend where they took turns to denounce Chamisa whom they labeled as a confused man who has no respect for that party’s constitution.
The list of the councillors on the firing line, which this publication is in possession of, includes Mayor Gomba, Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16), Kudzai Kadzomba (Ward 41), Costa Mande (Ward 14), Munyaradzi Kufahakutizwi (Ward 19) and Gilbert Hadebe (Ward 39).
Also on the list are Tonderai Chakaredza (Ward 31), Happymore Gotora (Ward 7), Galdencia Marera (Ward 32) and Jaison Kautsa (Ward 37).
Another contact from the MDC Alliance who preferred anonymity said the intended recall of Mayor Gomba from council was of little effect as Chamisa had also planned to replace him with Ian Makone.
“Its double trouble for Gomba, the MDC-T is planning to recall him from council because he is perceived as a Chamisa ally. On the other hand, the MDC-Alliance was also plotting to dethrone Gomba as the Mayor of Harare and replace him with Ian Makone, who is Chamisa’s favourite,” said the contact.
There are reports that Gomba had become very unpopular with his colleagues in the council due to his corrupt and nepotism tendencies.
It is alleged that Gomba engages in self-enrichment deals at the expense of service delivery.
Gomba is also accused of illegally selling council land and awarding tenders to his cronies to supply goods and services to the Harare City Council.
The MDC-Alliance is reportedly not happy with the performance of its councillors and a decision was made to recall some of them starting with the mayor. Zumba, Mhetu and Mukunguma, all reiterated at the weekend meeting that Gomba and many other councillors were paying protection fees to Charlton Hwende to avoid being recalled.
On the other hand, there is a reported nocturnal stampede by some councillors to the MDC-T leadership to pledge their allegiance.
One councilor who is earmarked for recall, Enock Mupamawonde, who is also the deputy Mayor, confided in this publication that he had no choice but to defect to the Khupe faction in order to maintain his source of income as his family is surviving on allowances and other benefits he is getting from the council.
The MDC-Alliance had 45 councillors in Harare City Council out of a total of 46.
