By Khokhelani Xhame
Yesterday’s High Court’s decision to bar fraudulently recalled Councillor Ephias Mambume from recontesting has sparked outrage, with many citing it as further evidence of the Tshabangu cabal’s clandestine collaboration with Zanu-PF to hijack opposition seats via captured courts. This disturbing trend has been observed in several instances, including:
- Masvingo’s Former Mayor, Cllr Shantel Chiwara: Illegally recalled and barred from recontesting, paving the way for ZANU-PF to grab her ward seat.
- Chitungwiza’s Former Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jerita Mutingwende: Similarly, recalled and her ward seat was also replaced by a ZANU-PF candidate.
- Former Mabvuku-Tafara MP, Hon. Munyaradzi Kufakuhakutizwi: Barred from recontesting after being illegally recalled and also his seat snatched by Zanu PF.
- Harare’s Former Mayor, Lovejoy Chitengu: Illegally recalled, with allegations of Tshabangu cabal involvement in dividing opposition votes.
Moreover, illegally recalled Proportional Representatives have been replaced by Tshabangu loyalists, as seen in the case of Epworth Local Board’s Former Chairperson, Cllr Anna Sande, whose PR seat was snatched by a Tshabangu loyalist.
Yesterday, speaking to Change Radio, Masvingo’s Former Mayor, Cllr Shantel Chiwara and Chitungwiza’s Former Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jerita Mutingwende concured that the previous recalls did not spare female Councillors, hence exacerbating reversal of gains on gender balance and hindering progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG #5).
Today Change Radio spoke to Harare’s Former Mayor, Cllr Lovejoy Chitengu who said,
“The decision taken by the High Court to block the illegally recalled Victoria Falls Councillor, Ephias Mambume from contesting in the by-election is so embarrassing. This is exposing Zanu pf capture of our judiciary system. It further exposes how desperate on the regime’s intent to impose one party state. It clearly shows that our opponents in Zanu pf do not like opposing views and competition” https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5kPp2KGGGQkePy4t1q/3168
He added, “Zimbabwe is going backwards in terms of development and rule of law. There is no sign of repentance as Mnangagwa regime is worse than Mugabe regime. This regime is even deemed more ruthless, we have seen a crackdown on opposition political activists as exemplified by denial of bail on innocent detainees like Senator Timba and the Avondale 64. This shows that Zimbabwe needs to reform judiciary system and institutions of the state to ensure that democracy prevail in the country”
Change Radio, again spoke to Chitungwiza’s Former Deputy Mayor, Cllr Jerita Mutingwende today:
“There is nothing new that should surprise us because this is the historical actions of Zanu PF. That party has constitently demonstrated a pattern of infuencing the courts leading to decisions that restrict opposition candidates from contesting, and this has negatively affected our communities. In our community we experienced the consequences of this. Prior to my recall, I had already secured commitment from investors, however after the recalls, these developments were stopped. This is a clear illustration of how Zanu pf actions have hintered progress and perpetuated stagnation in our communities” https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va5kPp2KGGGQkePy4t1q/3168
Prior to the illegal recall, Cllr Ephias Mambume championed several development programmes and projects in Victoria Falls Ward 1 that include, educational and health programmes, environmental programmes that also encompassed a raw water project, established community committees including safety and security Committee in addition to being a competent conduit between Ward 1 residents and Victoria Falls City Council.
Will the people of Zimbabwe continue to stand idly by as their developmental programmes are halted and their democratic rights are eroded? Only time will tell.
