Chombo Fires Gwanda Mayor

De Necker’s suspension by Chombo comes only few months after the Minister fired Mutare Mayor Brian James.

In a letter in possession of  Radio VOP dated 4 April and  addressed  to De Necker  Chombo  suspended  the mayor for defying  his orders  especially his refusal  to appoint a  Mrs P Nkala as Gwanda Municipality’s chamber secretary

“Following your deliberate defiance of my directive of 30 November 2011 issued in terms of Section 314 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter29: 15), directing council to appoint Mrs P Nkala as the substantive Chamber Secretary for Gwanda Municipality as approved by the Local Government Board, I hereby, in terms of Section 114 of the afore-cited Act, suspend you from being a councillor for Gwanda Municipality with immediate effect,” said Chombo in the letter to De Necker.

Chombo added: “After you received my directive, you proceeded to challenge the activities of the Local Government Board appointed to carry out its responsibilities as specified in the Urban Councils Act. Furthermore, you even questioned the credibility of the Local Government Board which was setup in terms of the law thus undermining the powers of both the Minister and Board.

 “During the period of your suspension, you shall not conduct any council business within or outside council premises, and you shall not be eligible to receive any form of any remuneration from the council.”

Chombo copied De Necker’s suspension letter to Matebeleland South Zanu PF governor Angeline Masuku, Provincial Administrator D. Mpofu and town clerk G. Mlilo.

Early this year Chombo fired Mutare mayor James on allegations of misconduct. Chombo claimed the suspension of James was in the interest of ensuring sound local governance for effective and efficient service delivery in Mutare City.