Chamisa throws Harare Councilors under the bus

Zim Now Writer

Fomer Citizens Coalition for Change president Nelson Chamisa condemned Harare councillors for abandoning their duties after being elected into office. Chamisa made these remarks while appearing before the commission of inquiry into the financial affairs of the capital city yesterday.

Chamisa denied allegations that he directed councillors to fast-track regularisation of settlements in Harare. Instead, he accused councillors of abusing their mandate and teaming up with land barons. Chamisa expressed frustration with the councillors' behavior, stating that they "go bonkers, run amok, throw away all dictates of reason, throw away all dictates of allegiance and loyalty to the party."

"In fact, what bleeds my heart is the fact that each time councillors are elected on a party ticket, the moment they go into council, they go bonkers, run amok, throw away all dictates of reason, throw away all dictates of allegiance and loyalty to the party, which I can't understand," he said.

The former opposition leader also condemned the indiscriminate destruction of houses by the council. Chamisa questioned why the council would destroy houses that they had initially allowed to be constructed.

"What I am aware of, though, is that people's houses were being destroyed, and I had difficulties appreciating and understanding why a whole council would destroy people's houses when they, in the first instance, had allowed people to construct those houses," he said.

"I take umbrage and great exception to people who then choose to undermine the rights of others in terms of the Constitution. Naturally, I would have issues with any kind of disposition where people's houses are destroyed."

Chamisa further stated that he was not able to control the councillors because parties are not contemplated in the statutes in terms of the running of local authorities.

"We are governed by the electorate. We are governed by the statutes. We are governed by the Urban Councils Act, and on that score, then it becomes very difficult to bring to account, especially our councillors."

Chamisa also dismissed allegations made in a recording where his name was mentioned by a local councillor.

"I would never address a few people like a few councillors that have been mentioned. If I were to address, I would address maybe the entirety of the people."

Chamisa denied ever directing councillors to engage in any illegal activities, including fast-tracking the regularisation of settlements.

"I am sure the commission, within the realm of due diligence, was to adduce evidence from him where I say that. Either voice or written or whatever, because there is always evidence that is supposed to back a claim."

Chamisa also stated that he did not know the councillor who made the allegations against him.

"It is another point I have been asked. If you were to show me, I would not know him. I have over 2,000 councillors. If I were to see him, I would not know him. There are 2,000 councillors who were under the CCC ticket. I don't know who is who. I would not know. There's no reason for me to even address an individual councillor on any matter."

President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed the commission, led by retired judge Justice Tendai Uchena, in May this year to investigate financial management systems and audit compliance with the Public Finance Management Act at the local authority.

The commission invited Chamisa to answer to the allegation that he gave a directive to councillors to fast-track land regularisation. Evidence leader Tabani Mpofu told Chamisa that the commission had evidence that the councillors were teaming up with land barons.