Residents Demand Answers Amid Futile & Desperate Attempts to Defend Council

Part 1

By Shingira Vambe

Residents of Rusape are scratching their heads, wondering why the local authority is continuing to pursue a lawsuit against six former councillors who were recently vindicated by the courts. The councillors were awarded US$45,000 in damages for their malicious arrest by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) after then-Acting District Development Coordinator, Darlington Museka, made a report to the police.

According to court papers, the arrest stemmed from allegations of abuse of office, procurement irregularities, and other charges related to the suspension and firing of former Town Secretary, Solomon Gabaza. However, many residents are questioning the legitimacy of these charges and the motivations behind the council’s continued pursuit of the matter.

The saga began when former Town Secretary, Joshua Maligwa, left council for Mutare City, and Gabaza was appointed to the post despite having a lower grade than Housing Director, Lawrence Mushayabasa. Maligwa had allegedly confided that he couldn’t leave council with Mushayabasa due to his personal and family issues.

As reported by Newsday, Gabaza’s appointment was met with controversy, with some alleging that he had political backing from influential figures, including former minister Saviour Kasukuwere and Kudzanai Chipanga . The article highlighted Gabaza’s rapid rise to the post, sparking resentment among some council members, including Mungororo Mazai, a former Chinhoyi town secretary who was a contender for the Town Secretary post.

The situation escalated when Gabaza began targeting perceived enemies, including Maligwa and Mushayabasa. Maligwa was summoned to court and eventually acquitted, as reported by Post on Sunday https://postonsunday.co.zw/2020/08/13/town-clerk-joshua-maligwa-acquitted/. Mushayabasa successfully wrote to council over irregularities, target by his boos, Gabaza who verbally told him that he was going to fire him, in the issuance of a residential stand to Godfrey Mufuranhewe, as reported by Manica Post https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjV3MKp652NAxVzQEEAHZamM7AQFnoECBwQAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manicapost.co.zw%2F5-nabbed-over-rusape-stands-racket%2F&usg=AOvVaw1O3-BhSqmiq_VCGUY9QWlg&opi=89978449.

“We began to question the legitimacy of these so-called cases and saw after investigations that Gabaza and former Rusape legal representative, late Maxwell Chiwanza, had a long-standing relationship which prejudiced the local authority a lot of money,” said one of the Councillors.

The road separated with the Councillors after Gabaza failed to report to his superiors, the Councillors, the council chairman to be precise following some visits by Government officials during the Covid-19 period.

With many cases being won at the magistrates court and they would fail at the High Court. the level of infiltration went to affect even later question ruling and abuse of office by office bearers including court officials. One officer confirmed following a report that, Rusape is on the list of causing a rotational exercise in the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) country wide.

The six Councillors who were recently awarded damages claim that Gabaza’s actions were motivated by a desire to consolidate power and silence critics. They also allege that Gabaza had a cozy relationship with Central Intelligence Officers in Rusape, involving them in council business and asking them to attend committee meetings, which was violating their offices as Councillors.

Council Chairman, Lovemore Chifomboti, claims that he was pressured by ZANU PF members, Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Services (ZPCS) officer, Shepherd Nyika, and Councillor Clever Chimuse to accept Gabaza’s return to council. “They confronted me and said Gabaza was the Town Secretary, he is the one in the office,” said Chifomboti.

Chimuse has been assisting Gabaza to find his way back into council, convening meetings with various ZANU PF members both local in Manicaland Province and Harare with pictures provided, of him and Gabaza at Government Complex in Mutare, during his suspension and investigation period.

The council’s continued pursuit of the lawsuit against the six former Councillors has left many residents wondering about the motivations behind their actions. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear, the people of Rusape deserve transparency and accountability from their leaders.

In our next article, part 2 of this edition, will reveal other parties and individuals who have systematically helped to bring Rusape Town to its current state, their relations with the Secretary and how they worked from outside even when he was suspended

About The Author