The ManicaPost
Lovemore Kadzura
Rusape Correspondent
LOCAL Government and Public Works Minister Winston Chitando has cracked the whip and suspended Makoni Rural District Council chairman, Alderman David Guy Mutasa following the local authority’s resistance to an investigation sanctioned by the ministry.
Ald Mutasa, who represents Ward 38 in Makoni RDC, was handed his suspension letter on Wednesday morning by officials from the ministry.
Minister Chitando had dispatched an investigation team to look into how the local authority acquired land in Nyazura which it went on to develop into residential, business and agro-residential plots.
The Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is also claiming entitlement to the land in question.
The team failed to execute its mission after Ald Mutasa allegedly connived with the chief executive officer, Dr Edward Pise to engage the local authorities’ lawyers — Warara and Associates — to challenge the probe.
Director of Communications and Advocacy in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Gabriel Masvora yesterday (Thursday) confirmed Ald Mutasa’s suspension.
Mr Masvora said Ald Mutasa’s suspension was in the best interest of ensuring sound local governance.
“It is true that the Makoni Rural District Council chairman, David Guy Mutasa was suspended by Minister Chitando for the reasons outlined in the suspension letter. We will keep you updated on the matter,” said Mr Masvora.
The suspension letter, a copy of which this publication has in its possession, was written on March 21, 2024, and reads: “Pursuant to the challenge of my appointment of an investigation team to look into matters of layout approval and subsequent developments in Nyazura through the council lawyers — Warara and Associates — I do hereby suspend you, with immediate effect from the Office of Councillor for Ward 38 of Makoni Rural District Council, in terms of Section 157 (1) of the Rural District Councils Act, (Chapter 29: 13), as amended by Section 3 of the Local Government Laws Amendment Act Number 8 of 2016. Note that this suspension is in the interest of ensuring sound local governance.”
The letter went on to cite two allegations forming Ald Mutasa’s suspension.
“You unwittingly connived with the chief executive officer of Makoni Rural District Council (Dr Edward Pise) to challenge a statutory provision, and the powers vested in me as the Minister of Local Government and Public Works to cause an inquiry into council in terms of Section 145 of the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29: 13).
“Furthermore, your connivance was without council resolution, which is tantamount to abuse of office by utilising public funds to fight individual battles. You are required to make your response to these allegations to this office within seven days of receiving this notice in terms of Section 157 (1) of the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29: 13) as amended by Section 3 of the Local Government Laws Amendment Act 8 of 2016.
“During the period of the said suspension, you shall not conduct any business for or on behalf of council, within or outside council premises, and you shall not be eligible to receive any form of remuneration. Further to this, you are also expected to comply with the investigation team to look into the allegations levelled against you,” reads the letter.
Makoni RDC deputy chairperson, Councillor Ellah Hlanguyo will hold forte in Alderman Mutasa’s absence.
When The Manica Post contacted him for a comment, Alderman Mutasa tried to play down the matter, saying he was still to receive the suspension letter.
“I don’t know how I can fight the whole ministry to warrant a suspension. I am suspended for what?” he quipped.
Despite his spirited denial, impeccable sources confirmed that Alderman Mutasa was handed the suspension letter on Wednesday.
“He was handed the suspension letter this morning (Wednesday) and he signed for it in Rusape. The ministry wants to know how Makoni Rural District Council got the land in Nyazura and how the stands were distributed. The ministry set up an investigation team to probe the issue because the Ministry of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development is also claiming entitlement to that same piece of land.
“The investigation was not targeted at any individuals, but the process that led to the awarding of that piece of land to Makoni RDC. The local authority claims to have been allocated the land in question by the district lands committee. The greater part of the land has since been allocated to people to build homes, with some council official acquiring multiple stands.
“Makoni RDC mounted a fierce resistance to the investigation, and involved its lawyers in fighting the ministry. They claimed that the parent ministry has no powers to investigate or audit them since doing so was in the purview of the Auditor General,” said the source.
