The Tsunga Mhangami-led commission running the affairs of the City of Gweru has adjourned the trial of 16 suspended councillors till tomorrow.
The 13 MDC-T and 3 ZANU PF leaders were fired by Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere over allegations that included ‘gross mismanagement, gross misconduct,’ among other allegations.
“Pursuant to the investigations carried out at Gweru City Council, which revealed your involvement in “Pursuant to the investigations carried out at Gweru City Council, which revealed your involvement in gross mismanagement, gross misconduct, incompetence in connection with council funds and affairs, I hereby, in terms of Section 114 (1) (c), (d) and (i) (ii) of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15), hereby, suspend you from being a councillor of Gweru City Council with immediate effect,” part of the suspension letter, dated August 12, reads.
Although the trial commenced at 1400hrs at the Townhouse today, the trial did not last 15 minutes.
“The trial has been adjourned to tomorrow,” said suspended Gweru Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi, with fellow councillors plus two prominent lawyers on tow as they left for a caucus in the mayors’ parlour.
Kombayi has and his peers have professed innocence, with the Mayor himself further denying that he ever bought 400 cows belonging to the local authority for a pittance.
To try and support his innocence, Kombayi yesterday posted on Facebook what appeared to be a document by auctioneers C.C Sales indicating how much the beasts had been sold for.
