by Staff reporter

Acting Local Government and Public Works Minister Jenfan Muswere has with immediate effect suspended MDC-Alliance member Jacob Mafume, who is Mt Pleasant ward 17 Councillor following numerous allegations of abuse of office.

According to the suspension letter dated 22 January 2021, from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mafume is being accused of abusing his Mayoral position through illegally instructing some council officials to allocate unserviced residential stands in Harare to his relatives; Rotina Mafume, Rutendo Muvhuti and two others only identified as Choruma and Mupindu

“Pursuant to the findings of the investigation team in a Preliminary report dated 14 December 2020, in line with section 114(2) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) as amended by the Local Government laws Amendment Act, number 8 of 2016, I have reasonable grounds for  suspecting that you councillor Jacob Mafume are guilt of misconduct.

“As referred in subsection (1) (6) (2) and (e) and hereby suspend you with immediate effect from the effect office of councillor for ward 17, Mt Pleasant Harare City Council in terms of Section 3 of the local Government Laws Amendment Act, number 8 of 2016,” reads part of the letter.

According to the suspension letter, Mafume  is required to respond to the allegations to the Minister’s office within seven days of receiving the notice in terms of Section 114 (2) (2)(e) of the urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) as amended by Section 3 of the Local Government Laws  Amendment Act of 2016.

During the period of the said suspension, Mafume is not allowed to conduct any council business within or outside council premises and shall not be eligible to receive any form of remuneration.

Mafume is among several MDC-Alliance councillors who were reportedly selling land illegally to desperate home seekers.