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Harare councillors drag Mangwende to court
The Zimbabwe Independent
May 14, 2004

HARARE city councillors have dragged governor Witness Mangwende to court for cancelling a full council meeting which should have taken place yesterday.

Mangwende called off the meeting without giving reasons for doing so, forcing councillors to take the legal route to win back their right to hold meetings.

Councillors who spoke to the Zimbabwe Independent said the purpose of yesterday's meeting was to elect a deputy mayor and chairpersons for committees.

"Zanu PF is playing games to protect acting mayor Sekesai Makwavarara and ensure that its tight grip on council affairs is not weakened," councillor Last Maengahama said.

"The meeting would have ushered in a new leadership in council that would take a radical stance to government's continued interference."

The cancellation of the meeting was communicated to the councillors through a circular signed by acting mayor Tapfumaneyi Jaja yesterday. Newsnet radio bulletin on Wednesday quoted Mangwende as issuing a notice cancelling the meeting.

Cited as respondents in the application are Mangwende, Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo and Jaja. Makwavarara was said to be out of the country.

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