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The dismissals were done without consulting Minister Chombo whose ministry superintends over all local government issues.

The minister learnt of the expulsion in the media.

The affected councillors were drawn from Harare, Gweru, Kwekwe and Zvishavane councils.

He told PM Tsvangirai that in line with its regulatory and supervisory mandate, his ministry had been conducting systems and investigative audits in rural and urban councils for the past three years.
He said the investigations unearthed gross administrative aberrations, violation of tender procedures and rampant looting of council resources.

Halfhearted approach to service delivery, passing of unlawful resolutions, conspicuous disregard for ratepayers’ concerns, poor estates management including unsanctioned access to and disposal of commercial, residential and industrial stands by councillors were some of the irregularities the ministry established.

“The aforecited distill into mismanagement of affairs or finances of council by councillors, collectively or severally,” Minister Chombo said.

He said where councillors were found guilty of misconduct remedial action was taken and some councillors were either suspended or dismissed.

Minister Chombo said the disciplinary measures were preceded by professional investigation processes carried out in terms of the Urban Councils Act and the Rural District Council Act.

However, PM Tsvangirai spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka said while he was not aware of Minister Chombo’s letter, the MDC-T would not cooperate with him.

“I am not aware of the letter but at the same time I know the PM’s position on the matter– the party engaged in its own internal process,” he said.

Mr Tamborinyoka went on to accuse Minister Chombo of protecting corrupt councillors in the past giving Chitungwiza as an example.

“We therefore do not feel obliged to cooperate with him,” he said.

However, the councillors are still performing their duties as their dismissals were not done procedurally. Among the dismissed councillors are Harare deputy mayor Mr Emmanuel Chiroto and Gweru mayor Mr Tedious Chimombe.