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His comments come in the wake of a serious fallout between him and councillors over his failure to ensure council resolutions are implemented.
Last week, councillors threatened to resign en-masse because Mr Masunda and his deputy Clr Emmanuel Chiroto were failing to ensure implementation of council resolutions.
Mr Masunda said he felt let down by the “five senior functionaries”.

He said he “would not allow the councillors to carry out a mini Spanish Inquisition by weeding them out because of their links with previous administrations at Town House”.
But following an attack on his management style, Mr Masunda has had a change of heart.
“All I expected in return was for the functionaries to perform in accordance with their respective contracts of employment.

MAYOR MUCHADEYI MASUNDA

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“Regrettably, five senior functionaries are letting me down. I will not be able to protect them any longer when councillors start baying for their blood,” he said.
He has already communicated his position to the senior officials.
Mr Masunda said the councillors were justified in demanding results.

“I do not think they are malicious. They are frustrated by the painfully slow pace at which council resolutions are being implemented,” he said.
Mr Masunda said the councillors perceive some of the senior officials as pro-Zanu-PF and anti-MDC.

“I am spending a lot of time administering anger management therapy to the councillors who accuse me of being over-protective of the functionaries.
“I get caught in the crossfire because I want to see the right things being done without fear or favour,” he said.
He said his focus remains on fulfilling the legitimate expectations of the city’s residents.
During the emotional full council meeting last Tuesday, Clr Chiroto urged Mr Masunda to take the councillors’ concerns seriously.

“Councillors have genuine concerns. We do not have a defence. Those standing in our way (officials) should go first before us,” he said.
Clr Wellington Chikombo alleged that some senior officials were sabotaging Mr Masunda.
He said the holding of full council meetings was fast becoming “time wasting” as none of the resolutions are ever implemented.

“We should either go and study or boycott the council meetings. How can I lie to the people for three years? Mayor, this is a litmus test for you,” he said.
Clr Musa Macheza was point blank in his attack.
“Mayor and Deputy Mayor you are not following on our resolutions. A lot of our resolutions have not been implemented because you are not doing your duties.

“You just come here, chair meetings and go. You are not doing your work. If you do not do as we want we can resign and leave the two of you alone,” he said.
Clr Paula Macharangwanda said Mr Masunda listened to wrong advice from directors.
Clr Herbert Gomba accused Mr Masunda of valuing the education of directors at the expense of service delivery.

He implied that Mr Masunda was afraid of opposing and contradicting the advice of the educated directors.
Clr Jonathan Tavarwisa said Mr Masunda should shoulder all the blame.

He accused the mayor of failing to engage Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo on critical matters raised by councillors.
Clr Friday Muleya said councillors were venting their anger because they expected Mr Masunda to act.