Harare Mayor Recalled 

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has recalled the recently elected Harare Mayor, councilor Jacob Mafume, a development likely to result in fresh poll, My Gokwe can reveal.

The recall of Clr Mafume, a lackey of the troubled MDC-Alliance, comes as efforts to restore sanity in the corruption reeking councils that are led by the opposition gather pace across the nation. It also comes as the legitimate leader of the MDC-T Dr Thokozani Khupe recalled 11 councillors in Harare Council last week.

My Gokwe learnt that Benjamin Rukanda, secretary general for PDP issued a letter saying Mafume had ceased to represent interest of the party (PDP) thus he was recalled.

The party of the later read, “Following the resolution of the national executive committee of our party held on September 12, 2020 we hereby notify your good office and also declare in terms of section 278 as read with section 129 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe that the following councillors cease to belong to the People’s Democratic Party.”

Bulawayo Ward 24 Clr Arnold Batirai Dube and Mutare ward 12 Clr Simon Chabuka are some of the PDP councilors who were elected under the PDP Banner but are now deemed to have ceased to represent interests of the Party.

The letter also acknowledged that PDP was one of the seven parties which entered into a pre-election agreement known as the Composite Political Agreement for purposes of conducting the 2018 elections.

“In terms of the said agreement the member parties retained their individual identities. Our party was the party to which these councillors belonged at the time of the 2018 elections,” reads the letter.

The members listed have by operation of clause 6. 4 (a) of the Constitution of the People’s Democratic Party automatically terminated their membership of the said party.

Attempts by the Biti faction in the PDP to block Clr Mafume’s recall hit a brick wall after Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo indicated in a letter that he recognised the Mr Rukanda faction led by Mrs Lucia Matibenga.

In the letter dated September 18, Minister Moyo said: “I refer to your undated letter which was received at my office. Your letter referred to is on behalf of your client, one Honourable Member of Parliament Settlement Chikwinya representing the People’s Democratic Party. I am not in receipt of any communication from Honourable Chikwinya.”

I have since received communication through a letter from the office of the secretary general of the People’s Democratic Party whose address is No.6 Norbert House, corner Kwame Nkrumah and Harare Street.

Minister Moyo said he has since acted as per his mandate in order to fulfil constitutional provisions.

Credit: Herald

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