Chegutu mayor Henry Muchatibaya is now a relieved man following the expulsion of MDC Alliance secretary-general and Kuwadzana East MP Chalton Hwende from Parliament.
Reinstated MDC-T secretary-general, Douglas Mwonzora recalled Hwende, and three other MPs, Prosper Mutseyami, Lilian Timveous and Tabitha Khumalo and also reversed the expulsion of several mayors who had been booted out by Hwende including Muchatibaya.
Speaking to NewZimbabwe.com after Mwonzora wrote to the Local Government Minister July Moyo advising him to reinstate him as mayor, Muchatibaya said:
After that, I was immediately labelled a rebel. I am one of the mayors they wanted out. However, the law served me. They failed. I once told them that the will of the people will prevail but they termed me a rebel.
It has since emerged that Muchatibaya was never removed from his position as the Local Government Minister did not take any action following Hwende’s request seeking his expulsion as both councillor and mayor of Chegutu Town.
This was confirmed by the MDC Alliance deputy secretary for local government, Clifford Hlatswayo who said Moyo “is yet to effect the party’s directive to recall him”.