Ward 3 villagers in Mbembesi, have raised concerns about the continued involvement of Vethi Tshuma, a former ZANU-PF councillor in Umguza Rural District Council affairs.
They allege that Tshuma’s interference is hindering the duties of the current councillor, Thulani Mpengesi, a member of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
Villagers claim that Tshuma is still meddling in council matters, supposedly to cover up corrupt deals he initiated during his tenure as councillor.
They point to the distribution of food inputs, where individuals from outside the ward were allegedly granted seeds, as an example of Tshuma’s alleged misconduct.
Additionally, villagers allege that Tshuma is privy to information from the Rural District Council before the current councillor receives it.
They attribute this to ZANU-PF’s tendency to favour its members over those from opposing parties.
Mpengesi himself has corroborated the villagers’ claims, stating that Tshuma has instructed people not to recognize him as the legitimate councillor and to direct all council-related matters to him instead.
Tshuma has also reportedly called upon a non-governmental organization (NGO) planning to establish a youth centre in the ward to exclude Mpengesi from the project.
Furthermore, Mpengesi claims that Tshuma has asserted sole control over grain distribution in the ward, despite Mpengesi’s official position as councillor.
He also alleges that Tshuma’s associates physically assaulted him and his uncle during an altercation over farming inputs.
Mpengesi expressed concern about Tshuma’s influence and the potential for further harassment. He believes that individuals within ZANU-PF are shielding Tshuma from accountability due to their party affiliation.
In response to the allegations, Tshuma stated that he has ceased to be a councillor and is no longer involved in council affairs.
He claimed that his contributions to the community are solely based on his commitment to the development of the ward and the fulfilment of ZANU-PF’s pledges made during the election campaign.
