Chombo risks lawsuit
in [Physics]
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From: as on 23 May 2010 12:53 Chombo risks lawsuit http://www.thestandard.co.zw/ Saturday, 22 May 2010 19:37 BULAWAYO - The city council has resolved to press contempt of court charges against Local Government, Urban and Rural Development Minister Ignatius Chombo if he carries out his threats to unilaterally swear-in special interest councillors. In 2008, the local authority sought the intervention of the High Court after Chombo appointed eight special interest councillors, most of them losing Zanu PF candidates in the previous election. The case is still pending in the courts. Those affected are former Zanu PF councillors Tadubana Tshuma, Omega Sibanda, Emmanuel Kanjoma, David Ndlovu, Abednigo Nyathi, Tryphine Nhliziyo and Dennis Ndlovu as well as businessmen Ernest Marima and Omega Sibanda. Last week, Chombo threatened to go ahead with the appointments despite the court case. He claimed that his ministry was mandated by the Urban Councils Act to appoint the councillors to provide expertise to the city councillors especially considering that a majority of them were serving their first terms. But deputy mayor, Amen Mpofu on Thursday said the minister who has been accused of trying to dilute MDC-T controlled councils by appointing the special interest councilors risked being dragged to court. "There is no way we are going to allow Chombo to impose his special interest councillors on the Bulawayo council," Mpofu said. "We have resolved to file contempt of court charges against him. "Chombo wants to dilute the MDC led council with Zanu PF appointees. It is known to everyone that the council does not have money and where will money to pay the councillors come from." The Bulawayo council is dominated by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai's MDC which has 23 councilors. Six are from the MDC led by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara. According to the Urban Councils Act, the appointed councilors are entitled to participate in the business of the council and perform the same functions as elected councillors. They are also entitled to the same benefits but do not vote at council meetings. Chombo told The Standard that government will continue with the installation of special interest councillors despite efforts by some local authorities to oppose the move. Chombo is set to appoint the special interest councillors in all the country's local authorities in line with section 4A of the Urban Councils Act which was amended in January 2008. BY NQOBANI NDLOVU
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