Source: Tsvangirai slams Kasukuwere – DailyNews Live Farayi Machamire • 8 May 2016
HARARE – Opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has slammed Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere for wielding undue influence over MDC-run councils elected by the people.
Kasukuwere has defended his crackdown on MDC councils saying as the “superintendent of local authorities” it is his responsibility to protect residents from abuse of funds by council officials.
But the former premier is prepared to go toe-to-toe with the Zanu PF political commissar.
“These local authorities have the constitutional mandate to run the affairs of their authorities without interference, this is where the struggle comes with Kasukuwere,” Tsvangirai said during a meeting with informal traders on Friday.
“Kasukuwere thinks he can come and try and run the cities. I don’t believe that should be the case, cities should be run by councils elected by the residents and by the people.”
The Local Government minister has made the most of his government position, capitalising on the opposition’s shortcomings in running local authorities under their dominion.
“He has rattled the Harare administration where he has suspended the mayor and blocked the appointment of a new town clerk, and plans to go to Chitungwiza, Bulawayo and Zvishavane where he plans to probe the MDC-run councils.
The MDC-run councils have been faulted for corruption, failed service delivery, uncollected refuse, water woes and harassment of informal traders in several audit reports instituted by Kasukuwere.
Tsvangirai said Kasukuwere must stop his continued interference with autonomous MDC councils saying that is no longer permissible under the Constitution.
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