Minister July Moyo Nullifies Former Chitown Mayor’...

Minister July Moyo Nullifies Former Chitown Mayor’s Re-election

Audrey Galawu

Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo nullified the re-election of Citizens Coalition for Change former mayor Lovemore Maiko after Acting Mayor Kiven Mutimbanyoka had adjourned the meeting.

Maiko and other councilors continued the meeting in the absence of Mutimbanyoka leading to the re- election of Maiko and the appointment of a town clerk.

According to a letter from Minister Moyo, the meeting was illegal and unofficial, thereby rendering the re-election unlawful.

“I have taken note that after the adjournment of the meeting, an illegal meeting was conducted which purported to elect a substantive mayor and appoint an acting town clerk.

“I hereby inform that the convened meeting was done unprocedurally thereby making the resolution null and void,” read the letter.

This led to the suspension of former mayor Maiko, Councilor Kudakwashe John who chaired the meeting and four other councilors who participated in it.

Meanwhile, government has approved the decision by the municipality to fire former town clerk Geroge Makunde following his suspension in 2019 on allegatiions of gross misconduct.

In a letter addressed to Mutimbanyoka, the local government board said the relationship between the municipality and Makunde is irreconcilable and irreparable.

“The local government board met on 10 September 2022 and deliberated on Council application to discharge the town Clerk. The board approved the separation of Dr Makunde and Chitungwiza Municipality,” read the letter.