Dispute between Chinamasa and ministers over suspension of council chairmen

Zanu PF treasurer Patrick Chinamasa has protested against the suspension of Makoni Rural District Council (RDC) officials for thwarting a government land audit in the district.

Suspended Makoni (RDC) leader Councilor David Guy Mutasa and board chairman Edward Pise are known allies of Chinamasa.

Pise had saved the local community for more than 30 years.

Former Local Government Minister Winston Chitando deployed an investigation team to investigate land theft in Nyazura but the two reportedly encountered resistance, leading to their suspension.

There are allegations that the duo were involved in land theft in collusion with top Zanu PF officials.

In a new turn of events, Chinamasa wrote to the Ministry of Local Government protesting the suspension of his allies.

Sources in the Ministry of Local Government and Zanu PF yesterday said Chinamasa’s letter had caused a stir.

“Chinamasa is literally challenging the president as Chitando is his appointee when he says not to investigate my friends,” a source said.

“He is using a Zanu-PF ticket to challenge a minister; It is unheard of for party officials to threaten ministers to carry out their duties without fear.

“If Mutasa and Pise are clean as he claims, he should continue the investigation.”

In a May 7 letter on Zanu PF letterhead to Local Government Minister Daniel Garwe, Chinamasa implored him to lift the suspension.

“Your predecessor, Honorable Winstone Chitando, made a decision that, in my opinion, was unjustified and defies logic, unless there is something beyond that that was not communicated to me,” the letter said.

“Hon Chitando suspended Alderman Mutasa and Edward Pise for allegedly managing a Nyazura farm which was developed and settled as an urban development and cannot be reversed or reversed.”

He added: “I therefore firmly believe that the suspensions of Alderman Mutasa and Pise are not only unjustified but also represent a denigration of their characters and reputations, which could have been avoided through consultations.”

“I ask the honorable minister to look at the matter objectively and do the right thing by lifting the suspensions.”

Chinamasa and Chitando could not be reached for comment.

A report submitted by the Commission of Inquiry into the Sale of State Land since 2005, chaired by Justice Tendai Uchena, revealed that senior politicians in the ruling party clearly influenced decisions on land acquisition and abuse of office.