Chamisa fires Mayor Mafume

Harare-Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) has taken a new twist as the party’s president Nelson Chamisa has expelled Harare Mayor Jacob Mafume and six other councillors from the party. The reason for the expulsion is said to be their association with Sengezo Tshabangu, who claims to be the party’s secretary general and has been recalling CCC MPs from parliament.

Mafume, who was recently re-elected as Harare Mayor under controversial circumstances, is accused of colluding with Tshabangu to oust his predecessor Lovejoy Chitengu and threatening other councillors to vote for him. Mafume was allegedly unhappy with Chamisa’s decision not to endorse him for a second term as mayor after he completed the term of former mayor Herbert Gomba.

The other councillors who have been shown the door are Bulawayo’s deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu, Mutare mayor Sophia Gwasira, her deputy Cloud Nengomasha, and two other councillors from Marondera and Harare whose names are yet to be confirmed.

A source close to the developments said that Mafume and his allies were fired for causing instability in the party and working against its interests. The source also hinted that more firings are expected as the party has identified those who are siding with Tshabangu.

Tshabangu, a former MDC provincial youth chairperson and MDC-N member, has been causing chaos in the CCC by recalling its MPs without consulting the party leadership. He claims that he is the legitimate secretary general of the party and that Chamisa is an illegitimate leader who usurped power .

Source: Bindura Eye