Saviour Kasukuwere
Davison Marenga
ZVISHAVANE – The pendulum of power has swung the other way in the Zvishavane Town Council after Local Government minister; Saviour Kasukuwere announced the suspension of Zvishavane Town Council Chairperson, Esau Gwatipedza Dube over a raft of corruption allegations.
A combative Kasukuwere made the announcement this morning (January 12) at a meeting held at Runde Rural District Council offices.
Kasukuwere said the suspension followed an investigation conducted by local government ministry officials.
Dube has seven days to respond to the allegations after which a tribunal will be set to hear his appeal.
Dube has previously had a very acrimonious relationship with Town Secretary, Tinoda Mukutu, whom he suspended last year in April over allegations of gross misconduct.
“We have seen it noble to suspend the Town Secretary for incompetence. He is failing to perform his duties plus he does not generally stay in the office to execute his duties in time. This has ultimately led to poor service delivery in the town.
“I actually waited for a long time thinking he (Mukutu) would be serious but he did not change his attitude towards work. All you need to know is that we have suspended him today (Monday) – his charge sheet has a long list of offences,” Dube said at the time.
Mukutu, however, bounced back a few weeks later after an ‘investigation team’ sent by the local governance ministry exonerated him of any wrong doing, and he vowed to exact revenge on Dube.
The Zvishavane Residence Ratepayers Association (ZRRA) has previously supported Dube in his efforts to rid the council of Mukutu.news
