Mugabe moves to take over cities from MDC

Mugabe moves to take over cities from MDC

• Mutare mayor damned by Chombo hatchet men

• Mutare mayor: Chombo probe predetermined

• MDC bid to block Makwavarara jaunt

• Makwavarara's US$27 000 Russian jaunt

• Chombo's mistress settles $1,6bn suit

• Chombo's mistress and her famous conquests

• Chombo a love rat, says wife

• Chombo appoints Makwavarara to run Harare

• MDC expels Bulawayo councillor

• More MDC councillors quit Harare council

• MDC withdraws Harare councillors

• Makwavarara: 'I was always Zanu PF'

• MDC to withdraw Harare councillors

• Chombo expels 13 MDC councillors

• Councillors fight suspension in court

• Is Chombo dating Makwavarara?

• Deposed mayor Mudzuri sues Mugabe

• 'I am being harassed' - Mudzuri

• Mugabe fires Harare mayor

• Sibanda denounces Makwavarara

• Gwisai warns MDC

By Lebo Nkatazo

THE government is set to take control of all MDC run urban councils through a proposal to pay salaries for all senior personnel.

Local Government Deputy Minister, Morris Sakabuya, said the move is aimed at stemming the brain drain of qualified personnel.

The move has not gone down with the MDC which says that by controlling councils' key staff, the government would have taken over the towns and cities.

MDC spokesperson for local government Trudy Stevenson, who is also MP for Harare North dismissed the proposal as "ridiculous" and indicative of Harare's desire to completely take over all urban cities.

Said Stevenson: "In my view it shows how the government wants to completely take over all local authorities.

"Besides, the government does not have the money and is currently grappling with importing fuel and food. The proposal is just ridiculous."

In recent months, the government has displayed its impatience with having the municipalities under the aegis of the MDC, arresting two opposition mayors -- Chegutu's Francis Dhlakama and Chitungwiza's Misheck Shoko in a space of two months.

Mutare's Misheck Kagurabadza is expected to be fired in the next few months on
recommendations of a government-appointed probe team.

At the weekend Mugabe ratcheted pressure against Shoko at a rally held
in Chitungwiza and hinted that the mayor would soon be fired.

"I will personally talk to Chombo (the minister of Local government minister) over the issue of Chitungwiza. We want the government to get in and solve
the problems here," said Mugabe.

"Zanu PF hausi Musangano wetsvina. Hatidi Tsvina. Urikunzwa here Shoko
iri shoko? (Zanu PF does not accept dirt). Are you getting the message
Shoko?).

When Chombo fired Harare mayor, Elias Mudzuri last year, he said the
order had come from the president.
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