Although the committee's report has not yet been availed to the public, sources within the probe team told New Zimbabwe.com that they have drawn up a damning report which will be submitted to Ignatious Chombo, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development.

The team, whose composition has courted controversy amid allegations it is populated by ruling Zanu PF members and sympathisers, among other things reportedly blamed Kagurabadza for "gross mismanagement" of council resources.

Kagurabadza has since mounted a legal challenge at the High Court questioning the impartiality of the probe team.

A member of the team said: "Kagurabadza is now history. The report is so hard hitting that the Minister will have no choice but to fire him."

Misheck Mugadza, chairman of the team, declined to discuss contents of their report saying: "All I can say is that we have finished doing our work and we are due to present the report to the Minister this week. The Minister will present the report to the public."

Mugadza, a legal practitioner, downplayed suggestions that his team was biased in their investigations because of their closeness to the ruling party. He insisted they were professionals.

Kagurabadza says the probe team comprises individuals with strong links with the ruling party, Zanu PF and the government who did not want to see an opposition political party controlling the council.

Kagurabadza, elected amid a wave of popular support on an opposition MDC ticket, was suspended in July by Chombo, ostentibly on charges of failing to properly run the affairs of the city.

But sources say the mayor was suspended because he angered top Zanu PF and government officials after he submitted a damning report to a United Nations special envoy send to Zimbabwe to access the effects of operation murambatsvina.

In a report to Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, Kagurabadza condemned the manner in which the operation was conducted. He even toured affected areas in Sakubva with the UN envoy - a move that angered government and Zanu PF officials who were eager to conceal information regarding the effects of the infamous operation.

However, the government maintains Kagurabadza's suspension has nothing to do with his submissions to Tibaijuka.