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Mutare mayor: Chombo probe predetermined
Below is the full text of an address to the people of Mutare by mayor Misheck Tofamangwani Kagurabadza who was recently suspended by Local Government Minister Ignatius Chombo
By Misheck Tofamangwani Kagurabadza
AS YOUR elected mayor of the City of Mutare, I have a duty to officially inform you that as from July 22, 2005, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr. Ignatius Chombo, who is responsible for council affairs, suspended me from performing the duties you elected me to do. Among other things, Dr Chombo accused me of failing to control activities of council employees through the offices of the town clerk, Dr M. Chawawa. Dr. Chawawa was himself not suspended but his managers were suspended .
A six member team to investigate your mayor on behalf of Mutare residents was appointed and is composed of : Mr. M. Mugadza (Chairman), a Mutare based lawyer Mr. I. Mupfumi (member), a Mutare-based businessman Mr. F. Mbetsa (member), Provincial Administrator, Manicaland Mrs. Machakaire (member), Provincial Roads Engineer, Ministry of Transport. Mrs. N.P. Mudzinge (member/secretary), Under Sec, Ministry of Local Government Public and Urban Development (HQ). Mr. R.L. Nyamakura (member), Chief Internal Auditor, Ministry of Local Government Public Works and Urban Development.
I am very concerned that some members of the team are not in a position to act in an impartial manner in the investigative process. These members are, regrettably, the chairman of the team, Mr. Mugadza, Mr. Isau Mupfumi, Mr. Fungai Mbetsa and Mrs. P. Mudzinge The grounds on which I express my concern are as follows: - Mr. Mugadza is the legal practitioner for the applicant, Mrs Ellen Gwaradzimba, in a case where I am one of the respondents. Mrs Gwaradzimba lost to me in Mayoral elections and, in her application, seeks my removal from the office of Mayor. The application is currently pending in the High Court. - Mr. Mupfumi, I am advised, has, in the past, attempted to have me removed from office. He is alleged to have organised, funded and participated in demonstrations against me which took place between April 19th. and May 19th., 2004. The demonstrators, in an apparently illegal manner, camped and cooked food at an open space at the Civic Centre. They carried a coffin with labels 'MDC rest in Peace' and 'Kagurabadza Rest in Peace'.
It is alleged that Mr. Mupfumi sponsored an advert which appeared in the Manica Post, on May 28, 2004. The advert referred to these events as 'peaceful demonstrations' and thanked the Minister, Dr. Chombo and the Provincial Administrator, Mr. Mbetsa, among others for their 'intervention'. Mr. Mupfumi is also a central committee member of ZANU PF, a political party whose candidate. Ms Gwaradzimba, lost to me in the mayoral election. - Mr. Mbetsa has on many occasions opposed me in my role as Mayor of Mutare. He presented a report against me and the entire Council to the Minister. This report prompted the setting up of a committee to carry out an administrative systems audit of Mutare City Council from January 26th., 2005. Mr. Mbetsa has written to City of Mutare requesting it to implement certain directives of the Minister. He has been privy to communications between the Minister and me, and his role in this matter has led to strained relationships. It was also alleged that I barred Mr. Mbetsa's offices from attending Council meetings.
On my compliance with the Minister's directives, I had been requested by him to report to Mr. Mbetsa. I had also been directed by the Minister to comply with directives given by Mr. Mbetsa. The latter, furthermore, chaired the team that probed MDC Harare Executive Mayor, Engineer E. Mudzuri. The team dismissed Mayor Mudzuri.
It is my considered opinion that Mr. Mbetsa, while in a position to witness against me, cannot credibly act as my investigator. - Mrs. Mudzinge 's stated position is that Mutare City Council has abrogated its role of safeguarding the welfare of residents and rate payers and that its 'priorities ought to be reconsidered'. She further wrote an unsolicited condemnatory letter against Council to Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA) in which she stated the above mentioned position. As the investigation includes an examination of how Council has been run, Mrs. Mudzinge's predetermined views undermine her credibility as an independent investigator.
The investigators' report will be the basis upon which a decision which affects me will be made. The decision will also have repercussions on others. Thus, it is imperative that the investigators be in a position to act in a transparent and impartial manner. They cannot act in this way if their credibility is undermined by partial interests.
My respected Mutare residents, I promise you, as I have done before, that I will remain resolute and committed to do the work you want done in this city. I will always tell and show people the truth for the truth alone will make both you and I free. I, and my council, have experienced many difficulties in doing our work: April - May 2004: the so-called demonstrations, followed by the Minister freezing our 2004 budget on May 20 which he had approved in April 2004; Jan - June 2005: the four member system audit team to probe my council and me; July 2005 up to now: the suspension saga.
I believe that you, as residents, appreciate that the Council and I cannot fully apply ourselves to deliver the service expected by you if there is continuous interference in our affairs. I am also aware that my reporting and showing Dr Anna Tibaijuka, the UN envoy, the enormous suffering caused by operation Murambatsvina to Mutare residents, especially those in Sakubva, angered those who did not want the truth to be told. My involvement with Dr. Tibaijuka has further affected my already vulnerable position. To you all, thank you for your consistent support and your very encouraging calls, e-mails and verbal comments. God be with you all!
Misheck Tofamangwani
Kagurabadza is Executive Mayor of Mutare. He can be contacted at: tofa@mweb.co.zw
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