Chikumba District Development Coordinator (DDC), Michael Mariga, has lifted the suspension he imposed on four Shikumba Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councilors after they submitted an urgent request to the chamber challenging the suspension.
A letter seen by The Mirror dated January 25, 2024, addressed to the four councillors’ lawyers, Mapondo and Ndlovu, from Mariga’s lawyer Herbert Mutasa of Geel, Godlonton and Gerrans legal practitioners confirmed the suspension had been lifted.
The four CCC council members are Colin Zvarivashe (Ward 11), Amos Reda (Ward 10), Vexel Zakata (Ward 9), and Ismail Mukazova (Ward 12).
“We refer to the above matter and to the telephone conversation we had earlier today. During the above telephone conversation, Ms Endo told us that your clients will withdraw their urgent room request if a written undertaking is given on the terms we have proposed to you before. This is our client undertaking. Now, your clients will not be hindered from performing their duties as consultants in their respective departments and your clients’ allowances will not be withheld,” the letter said.
Mariga suspended the quartet after she filed an application for a declaration abolishing all council committees at the High Court in Harare. They claim that the committees were imposed by council president Israel Dekenya without holding elections and thus violating the Rural Councils Law.
The four CCC council members then made an urgent request to the chamber to challenge the suspension. They claimed that they did not receive any official communication notifying them of the suspension. They also argued that Marija had no power to suspend them.
Meanwhile, council members continue to demand the abolition of all council committees. The quartet initially approached the Chivu District Court but withdrew the application after agreeing to resolve the issue at a full council meeting with Zanu PF council members and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bullen Chiwara.
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