Tinaani Nyabereka
Former Gweru mayor, Josiah Makombe has approached the High Court on his case regarding the council pool car he allegedly took with him after being recalled late last year.
Makombe, through his lawyer, Ephraim Ndlovu of the Mabhundu and Ndlovu Law Firm said he was sent home when he went to the magistrates’ court as the prosecutors were still studying the police docket.
No charges were levelled against Makombe, TellZim News has established.
Ndlovu said as Makombe’s defense counsel they came over with the intention to challenge the placement on remand of their client as the case was purely a civil matter which required a clear explanation of a resolution.
“We were told to appear in court today. We came and were told that the officials were still studying the docket. What transpired is that, a clear resolution was made by council that Makombe was set to purchase the US$176k pool car at book value by the end of his term of office. What then happened was that he was recalled. So all this happened while he was waiting for council to forward him the book value resolution of the car so that he buy it in compliance with the resolution that council passed but council never did that.
“We only got a letter two days ago citing the return of the vehicle as saying he did not complete his constitutional term. So we have forwarded a letter to High Court seeking clarification about the constitutional term of office regarding this matter,” said Ndlovu.
Gweru Residents and Ratepayers Association (GRRA), Conerlia Selipiwe said as residents they were happy with the recovery of the vehicle.
“As residents we are equally happy with the development because we feel the car is now in safe custody while the matter is being looked at.
“What still worries us as residents is why he (the former mayor) refused to return the vehicle when he left office after he was recalled. Yet that same car made problems again when former Town Clerk, Elizabeth Gwatipedza was dismissed from office. This simply shows an element of selfishness at the expense of service delivery,” he added.
Makombe was recalled by the Douglas Mwonzora led MDC -T party last year after pledging allegiance to rival opposition Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s then MDC-Alliance.
Gweru council sought the intervention of the Joint Operation Command (JOC) to retrieve the vehicle from Makombe accusing him of holding on to the vehicle.
