Prisca Manyiwa-Masuku
Opposition party-Citizens Coalition for Change Councillors’ tempers flared after a newly elected ZANU PF councillor Makomborero Mlambo on Thursday 12 May 2022, walked into a full council meeting at Kwekwe civic centre wearing his party regalia.
A tense atmosphere engulfed Kwekwe City Council chambers as Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councillors demanded that Mulambo removes his ZANU PF cap for the council meeting to proceed.
“We are not supposed to wear political party regalia in this house. This is not a place for such dressing,” said CCC councillor Washington Moyo ( CCC).
In response to the councillors’ plea, Mayor Future Titora who was chairing the meeting ordered the agitated Mlambo to remove his cap labelled ED.
“Councillor can you remove the cap you are wearing. Labelled caps are not allowed here,” she said.
Feeling provoked, the adamant Mlambo pointed out at CCC councillor Melody Chingarande who was wearing a yellow dress and he also asked her to remove the dress as it also resembled CCC regalia.
” I am shocked by this, maybe I am just a joke or something. This house is meant for business not what you are focusing on.
“Which rule are you riding at? (sic) Because I am not aware of any rule that hinders me from wearing this.
” This is my party cap, my DNA is ZANU PF. I can as well ask this cde to remove her yellow dress (pointing at councillor Melody Chingarande).
“This is just a yellow dress and there is no Chamisa written on my dress so it is not party regalia,” Chingarande responded.
Councillor Joshua Tinago intervened in the heated argument and recommended an induction meeting for the newly elected councillors to avoid unnecessary confusion.
“It is our fault as a council because we did not go for an induction with our new colleagues so induction is needed,” said Tinago.
Mlambo finally agreed to remove his cap after the town clerk Dr Lucia Mkandhla offered an apology for not inducting new councillors.
