Three PDP Councillors who were recalled from their respective councils by Lucia Matibenga on 28 March 2022 have been reinstated by the High Court.
The three are Bulawayo Ward 24 councillor, Arnold Batirai Dube, former Harare mayor Jacob Mafume and Simon Chabuka of Mutare.
In an interview with CITE, Mafume explained that the respective councils had been interdicted by the High Court from recognising the dismissal letter from Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo. Said Mafume:
It, therefore, means Councillor Batirai, myself and Chabuka are back in office immediately and that letter is of no force and effect.
We are to continue the work that we were supposed to be doing for our wards.
I’ve been in council and everyone was in court so there is no need to waste time.
Lawyers representing the councils were also there, they know what was said and they will do what needs to be done.
The trio was represented by Tonderai Bhatasara of Mupanga Bhatasara who appeared before High Court judge Justice Lucy Mungwari.
Matibenga recalled the three councillors on allegations that they had ceased to be a member of the party and had joined the MDC Alliance then led by Nelson Chamisa.
Dube, Mafume and Chabuka, however, approached the High Court to challenge their recall last week.
They argued that they belonged to the PDP led by Tendai Biti and not Matibenga’s faction and demanded that their recalls be declared null and void.
They also said their constitutional rights were violated.