‘Ruinous, Corrupt & Irresponsible Zanu PF System Of Governance’ Created “Scourge Of Vending”

THE MDC-T has reacted angrily to new local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere’s threats to fire local authorities’ councillors “if they fail to get rid of informal traders”.

Kasukuwere has just been in the job for over a week after he replaced the long serving Ignatius Chombo.

In a statement Friday, MDC-T spokesperson Obert Gutu said Kasukuwere has got “absolutely no lawful authority to dismiss any mayor and councillor simply because they have refused to obey Zanu PF’s unlawful orders to forcibly remove vendors from the streets”.

“Indeed, Section 278 of the Constitution clearly sets out the procedure that has to be followed before any mayor or councillor is removed from office,” said Gutu.

“Councillors are directly elected by registered voters in their respective wards. They are neither appointed by the president nor by the minister of local government.

“As such, mayors and councillors are first and foremost, answerable to the people who vote them into office and not to the minister of local government.

“Thus, the irresponsible and reckless threat by Kasukuwere to dismiss the Mayor of Harare and his councillors from office is not only unconstitutional but also wholly misplaced and thoroughly misguided.”

Kasukuwere has threatened to fire local authorities if they fail to “clean-up cities and towns” that have been invaded by informal traders.

Gutu charged that the “scourge of vending” is a direct creation of the Zanu PF regime through “its ruinous, corrupt and irresponsible system of governance.”

He added: “This regime has run down the Zimbabwean economy over the years and in the process, thousands of workers have been thrown onto the streets as factories and industries continue to close on a daily basis.”

“The formal business sector has been decimated as a direct result of (President) Robert Mugabe and the Zanu PF regime’s disrespect for the rule of law as well as disrespect for property rights,” the statement said.

The MDC-T spokesman said Zimbabweans have been forced into informal trade.

“The MDC calls upon the Zanu PF regime to immediately desist from adopting heavy-handed and unlawful methods of dealing with the vending crisis in Harare as well as in all the other cities, towns and growth points in the country.

“We shall not accept a situation whereby the Zanu PF regime unleashes its security operatives to ruthlessly clamp down on vendors; beating them up, arresting them and also destroying their merchandise,” the statement added.

Gutu insisted that the Zimbabwean economy will never recover in the absence of political legitimacy, accusing Mugabe of electoral theft.

“We shall never, ever recognise him as the lawful and legitimate leader of Zimbabwe. Mugabe is an illegitimate President leading an illegitimate government,” he said. source-newzimbabwe

 

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