Kasukuwere Fires Two Gweru MDC-T Councilors Over Graft

GWERU – Tuesday August 4,2015- Minister Of Local Government

and Zanu(PF) political commisar Saviour Kasukuwere has fired two MDC-T

councilors over allegations of abuse of public funds, a development

that is set to call for more by-elections as Zanu PF seeks to regain

control of the local authority.

Albert Chirau (ward 11) and Moses Marecha (ward 5) were served with

dismissal letters on Monday following their two months suspension amid

reports of an arson against MDC-T councilors by the ‘overzealous’

Kasukuwere.

The duo was suspended during former Local Government Minister Ignatius

Chombo’s tenure before a Commission of Inquiry was dispatched to

investigate cases of corruption in the local authority.

During his term of officer Marecha who is a councilor in Senga is

accused of selling gravel and not remitting funds to treasury.

Chirau is accused of renting out council properties like clubs and

pocketing the funds.

The aftermath of the corruption investigations has resulted in the

firing of the two councilors who confirmed the development when

contacted by Radio VOP.

“I can confirm that I was served with the dismissal letter yesterday;

you can contact the party (MDC-T) for more information,” Chirau told

Radio VOP.

Chirau had professed innocence before the long arm of the law caught

up with him.

“This is a long process of finding out what really happened. We will

have to deal with police if it’s a criminal offense,” said Chirau.

His partner counterpart, Marecha remained tight-lipped when contacted

for comment.

“I have been censored to comment by the party. Please contact the

party for comment,” a once outspoken Marecha said.

Council sources say the ouster of the two MDC-T councilors confirm

Kasukuwere’s threats that he wanted to target MDC run local

authorities.

It has not been established whether the two will be prosecuted.

MDC-T Midlands South provincial spokesperson, Munyaradzi Mutandavari

said Zanu PF the firing of the two councillors was a ploy to get rid

of MDC-T run councils.

“This is an onslaught from Zanu (PF). Kasukuwere wants MDC out of

council, but we will not allow him,” Mutandavari said without

clarifying whether the party would challenge the dismissal.

Marecha and Chirau were in May embroiled in the murky conspiracy of

seeking to oust Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi but failed as they were

suspended just weeks after the attempted ‘coup’

A by election is therefore on the cards and Zanu(PF) is set to retain

the council seats, whilst MDC maintains its “No reforms, No Vote”

gaffe.

MDC has since 2000 dominated the Gweru local authority, with Zanu(PF)

playing second fiddle.