Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) has called for the reinstatement of former ward 3 councillor Tinashe Kambarami as the city`s deputy mayor pending his Supreme Court appeal.
In August, the Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Thompson Mabhikwa, nullified Kambarami’s election as councillor for Ward 3 and the city’s Deputy Mayor following an application by political pressure group, 1893 Mthwakazi Restoration Movement Trust.
In a letter addressed to Bulawayo Mayor, Solomon Mguni, dated 14 October 2019, MDC Alliance Bulawayo Provincial Secretary, Ernest Rafamoyo said Kambarami must be reinstated as deputy mayor with the same conditions, privileges and benefits until the appeal is finalised by the Supreme Court.
“After taking into consideration all the developments around the above specifically the High Court ruling, the Supreme Court appeal, communication and interpretation from Councillor Kambarami’s lawyers, the challenge from Umthwakazi Republic Restoration Movement and the opinion from the Council Lawyers.
“The position of the party in consultation with National Leadership is that Councillor Kambarami remains the Deputy Mayor with the same conditions, privileges and benefits until the appeal is finalized by the Supreme Court,” said Rafamoyo.
1893MRM had argued that Kambarami was unfit for public office due to his criminal record.
Kambarami was in July 2018 convicted of theft by Bulawayo Provincial Magistrate, Sharon Rosemani for stealing an extension cord from an electrician he had hired to work at his office.
However, Kambarami’s lawyers appealed to the Supreme Court arguing that the High Court had no jurisdiction over the matter since the application was an election petition which was supposed to be heard by the electrical Court.
Councillor Kambarami’s lawyers had also written to the City Council’s attorneys saying it cannot prohibit their client from reporting for duty.
