MDC-T leader Thokozani Khupe has started recalling councillor’s from the Nelson Chamisa led MDC Alliance.
Khupe was only recalling MDC Alliance legislators. The recalling of councillors comes at a time when Khupe recalled 8 MDC Alliance Senators on Wednesday.
Khupe recalled 4 Councilors from the Harare City Council.
The 4 Councilors that were recalled are Denford Ngadziore Ward 16, Grisot Mandere Ward 44, Jaison Kautsa Ward 37, and Tonderai Chakeredza Ward 31.
A letter by the Minister of Local Government and Public Works July Moyo informed the Town Clerk of the recall of the Councilors.
The letter states that the councillors were recalled in terms of Section 278 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with Section 129 (1)k, Ward 16, Ward 44, Ward 37 and Ward 31.
The letter by Khupe reads:
I wish to inform you that I am in receipt of a letter from the Movement for Democratic Change stating that Cllr D Ngadziore Ward 16, Cllr Grisot Mandere Ward 44, Cllr Jaison Kautsa Ward 37 and Cllr Tonderai Chakeredza Ward 31 have been expelled from that party. In terms of Section 278 (1) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, as read with Section 129 (1)k, Ward 16, Ward 44, Ward 37 and Ward 31 of Harare City Council are now vacant. In terms of Section 121 of the Electoral Act please inform the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC) of the vacancies.
There were earlier reports that three Epworth councillors had defected to Thokozani Khupe led MDC-T as a means to keep their seats in the local government.
Local publication Zim Morning Post reports three councillors who campaigned and won under the MDC Alliance ticket have chosen to become MDC-T councillors to protect themselves from Khupe.
The publication claims Musa Mabika a leader in the MDC Alliance Epworth Branch said the three councillors Batanai Masunda, Gift July and Joshua Chinonyengerwa have chosen to side with the losing Presidential Candidate Thokozani Khupe of the MDC-T.