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City of Munich condemns the dismissal of Harare Executive Mayor Elias Mudzuri
Hep Monatzeder, City Mayor of Munich
April 22, 2004

The City of Munich is watching the current development in our twin city of Harare with great concern and strongly condemns the dismissal of Executive Mayor Elias Mudzuri by the Ministery of Local Government. Mayor Mudzuri was elected by the people of Harare in March 2002, with a large majority.

Technical reasons which could justify his suspension in April 2003 and now his dismissal, are not In evidence. We have therefore to assume, that his dismissal - just as the suspension and
dismissal of further elected council members and the installation of a Gouvernor for Harare -
are meant to suspend the politically unpopular election result by the citizens of Harare and to take over the government of the capital city of Harare.

We are bewildered by these deeply undemocratic proceedings which are not only directed against the elected representatives of the City of Harare, but even against all the citizens. For our city twinning link it means that we have to freeze the cooperation projects with the Municipality of Harare which we had agreed with Mayor Mudzuri in the fields of water supply, waste management, health care, data processing, as long as there is no contact person of our confidence who is also trusted by the people of Harare.

As we consider the citizens of Harare to be our partners in the first instance, we have no intention of terminating the twinning arrangement, but wish to assure all those of our solidarity and support who continue to seek to bring about democratic conditions in Harare.

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