Mayor Hubert Fidze
Upenyu Chaota
MASVINGO – MDC-T Masvingo urban councillors, including mayor Hubert Fidze, have been summoned to a hearing on November 19, 2016 by their party’s district disciplinary committee to answer charges of corruption and ineptitude.
The councillors have been under the spotlight over allegations that include joining Zanu PF’s corrupt stands gravy train as well as failing to keep Zanu PF interests in check at the council.
Chairperson of the disciplinary committee, David Charirwe confirmed the development and said that the councillors have some explaining to do.
“Yes, we have a hearing. Councillors will stand before my committee and explain the charges levelled against them.
“We act as the public protector and it is our job to make sure that the officers, in this case councillors, adhere to the party principles. When issues arise, we are bound to summon the person involved so that they can defend themselves,” said Charirwe.
He however said he could not pre-empt everything since the outcome of the hearing will determine the course of action to take.
“They stand accused of failing to represent MDC-T at the Civic Centre and have all been falling for Zanu PF’s tricks. The councillors should work with us and seek guidance if they are lost but that is not happening.
“We should work together so that when we rise, we rise together and when we fall, we fall together. We do not want a situation where our councillors fall and we remain standing,” said Charirwe.
“Bonface Mazarire and Manase Vunganai were victimised at the council and were fired but our councillors did nothing to defend them despite that they form the majority. These are some of the issues that need clarification,” he added.
One provincial executive member, however, complained that the district was being used to smear the councillors particularly Fidze whom they suspect to have ambitions for higher office.
“They feel threatened by Fidze who is said to be planning to contest the Masvingo Urban parliamentary seat in 2018 so his opponents are using their money to manipulate structures and fabricate charges against him.
“The other councillors have just been caught up in the crossfire but the person they really want is Fidze. It is pure dirty politics at play and it is going to cost the party,” said the member.
Fidze has however denied that he wants to contest the Masvingo Urban seat.
TellZim News also established that MDC-T president Morgan Tsvangirai last week summoned all his councillors and mayors to Harare for a closed doors meeting at which Masvingo district was warned to leave the councillors alone.
Tsvangirai reportedly tasked provincial chairperson, James Gumbi, to make sure that the province is put in order.
“The President gave a strong warning to Masvingo district to leave the councillors alone. The councillors have no case to answer and should not fear anything,” said a source.news
