HARARE - Harare’s Town House yesterday erupted after disgruntled residents besieged it showing their discontent in the way Local government minister Ignatius Chombo reinstated Town clerk Tendai Mahachi.
Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni had suspended Mahachi pending investigations into allegations of failing to discharge his duties and refusing to furnish council with a salary schedule for the city’s top management.
Apart from protestors from Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR), a man who has gone on hunger strike also said he was prepared to die if Chombo’s directive was not reversed.
“I am prepared to be here until my demands are met, after fourteen days my family will join me. I am prepared to even die, as I am here my Bible will be my friend and my source of strength,” said Philosophy Nyapfumbu.
A group of demonstrators said their march was the first of bigger campaigns to come against Chombo and Mahachi.
“We are not going to rest until Mahachi leaves this place,” ROHR director Samuel Mangoma said.
“We have arranged this demonstration so that we can show support to our mayor. This is the time to show leadership and say no to corruption.”
He accused Chombo and Mahachi of being partners in corruption.
“These two guys are friends and not friends for a good cause but friends in corruption; all political parties, civic organisations and everyone should join hands to fight against corruption.
After the demonstration, Mangoma left a petition showing the residents’ solidarity with Manyenyeni.
“The man deserved to be shown the red card! You acted within the provisions of both the Urban Councils Act and the Zimbabwean Constitution. We therefore urge you to ignore minister Chombo’s calls for you to reverse this people-centred decision”, the petition read.
Mangoma said Chombo was out of line in reversing the mayor’s suspension of Mahachi, saying the salaries Town House bosses were earning were evil.
“That salary structure is a structure for sinners”, he said.