…as Gweru city council declares mayoral seat vacant
Kimberly Kusauka
MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora is under fire following a criminal case of perjury being opened against him by Gweru mayor Josiah Makombe who, together with former party president Dr Thokozani Khupe are fighting their dismissal from public office.
On January 5, Mwonzora’s MDC-T released a statement dismissing Makombe’s allegations as well as dispelling his dismissal, which created confusion as the latter’s position was on December 29 declared vacant.
It is alleged that Mwonzora wrote a letter of recall on December 10, 2021 to Minister July Moyo saying Makombe had been dismissed from his party, therefore could no longer hold office in the name of the party.
Makombe and Dr Khupe then interdicted the recall which was read on December 17, and in response, MDC-T denied having made the decision to recall Makombe, but minutes attributed to Gweru City Council confirmed Makombe’s recall.
They reportedly opened a criminal case at Bulawayo Central police station, with the two also making a fresh urgent court application at Bulawayo High Court to seek an order to stop their recall.
Contacted for comment Mayor Makombe said he could not say much as the issue is still before the courts.
“The issue is still at the courts, that is all I can tell you,” said Makombe.
MDC-T Secretary for Information and Publicity Witness Dube dismissed the issue as “mere rumours, gossip and speculation” when contacted for clarification on the matter and said that if any recall is made, the information will be published and the party will not be involved in rumours circulating in the media.
“Once any recall is effected; it becomes public knowledge that is beyond any speculation. The party will therefore not be drawn into gossiping about itself and its representatives. What you are asking about is just speculation and gossip for you to insinuate that the only reason why Makombe is not officiating could be linked to a recall you have no official knowledge of.
“A recall is effected through the relevant arm of government, and as a party, it is our policy never to discuss our recalls until such a time when they are effected, and this is a position informed by professional and humane considerations. I hope this information makes you realise that you are free to speculate about anything at all as long as you leave the MDC-T out of it,” said Dube.
He further said that the publication’s reporter risks being involved in stories in which they would miss dignified exists.
“You risk being personally involved in your stories, if you miss the many dignified exists you are offered by your respondents. Surely, your level of pressing questions risk going beyond just being interrogative to being outright personal about the Makombe issue.
“Once I have given you a clear party position, you seem not to be comfortable making news out of, I am then left with no choice but ask you to disengage me from your conversation, in the manner I had to do,” fumed Dube.
This was contradictory to what he said to TellZim News last year after rumours emerged that Makombe had been recalled when he said any recall will be published in a party statement.
“Should our party be left with recalling as the only corrective measure on any councillor, such councillors will be communicated to, and their names published in a party statement,” said Dube.
Councilor Cleopas Shiri has been standing in as Acting Mayor in recent Gweru City Council events, and when contacted for comment, Gweru Acting Town Clerk Vakayi Douglas Chikwekwe referred questions to council spokesperson Vimbai Chingwaramusee, who also referred the reporter to Chikwekwe.
