MDC fires Mutare mayor and nine councillors

The Movement for Democratic Change led by Morgan Tsvangirai on Friday expelled Mutare mayor Tatenda Nhemarare and nine councillors from Mutare, Redcliff and Victoria Falls for subverting the will of the electorate and disobeying the party’s directives.

The mayor and the councillors are accused of conniving with Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front councillors in electing mayors.

The party also recalled Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi.

The councillors who were expelled in Mutare are Pamela Mutasa, Richard Bhiza and Farai Mupfura.

In Redcliff the party expelled Clr Chikwiri, Clr Duro and Clr Majaji and in Victoria Falls: Morris Nyathi, Robson Salimu and Rich Muguni.

Full statement:

Friday, 06 December 2013
Press Statement: MDC National Council meeting, Harvest Hse, Harare

The MDC National Council met in Harare today to discuss various issues affecting the party and the country.
Before the start of the meeting, the Council expressed sorrow over the death of former South African President, Nelson Mandela and observed a minute of silence.

The Council noted that the crisis in Zimbabwe was deepening everyday as a result of the failure of the Zanu PF government to deal decisively with the main crises in Zimbabwe.

These crises are; the crisis of legitimacy, crisis of governance and expectations. It has also perpetuated corruption, which is clearly a product of the serious conflation of Zanu PF, State and the military.

Blaming the restrictive measures on anything else for Zimbabwe’s current problems is simply dishonesty. It is clear that the economic life of the people of Zimbabwe will not improve as long as Zanu PF maintains the current economic and political trajectory.

The Council noted and condemned the partisan distribution of agricultural inputs in the rural areas which has seen MDC members being discriminated against and urged them to resist this.

On the issue of mayors, the Council resolved to expel from the party the Mayor of Mutare, Tatenda Nhemarare, while the Mayor of Gweru, Hamutendi Kombayi is being recalled by the party.

The Council resolved to expel from the party the following councillors. In Mutare; Clr Pamela Mutasa, Clr Richard Bhiza and Clr Farai Mupfura. In Redcliff; Clr Chikwiri, Clr Duro and Clr Majaji. In Victoria Falls; Clr Morris Nyathi, Clr Robson Salimu and Clr Rich Muguni.

The MDC found these councillors guilty of subverting the will of the electorate in general and blatantly disobeying the party’s directives.

The Council welcomed the ruling by the High Court which was handed down on Monday, nullifying the parliamentary election result for Kwekwe Central. By ruling that the Kwekwe Central parliamentary election was rigged, the Bulawayo High Court effectively confirmed that the national election was a huge farce, which was manipulated and corrupted by the military and intelligence to give Zanu PF a stolen victory.

The shenanigans and dirty tactics that were employed in Kwekwe Central are similar to what transpired in most constituencies across the country.

The Council called upon SADC and AU to revisit their positions on the July 31 elections, now that the court has confirmed that the elections were rigged and considering the response which has been very clear and sharp from the business community, investment vehicles and the economy in general.

The MDC National Council urged Zimbabweans to remain strong and continue demanding a return to legitimacy as that is the only way to avert the national disaster wrecking havoc across the whole country.

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