THE vote of no confidence by fellow councillors against Beitbridge mayor Peter Pirato Mafuta is a non-event, which did not follow procedure and flies in the face of provisions of the supreme law of the country town clerk Loud Ramakgapola has said.
Ramakgapola said he had invited ward 4 councillor Emmanuel Takutaku to enlighten councillors on the due procedure, but the meeting yielded no tangible results.
“While it is correct that the councillors has the power to elect a mayor and his deputy, it is impossible for the same sitting to resolve and take action on a vote of no confidence in the same. It is against constitutional provisions, as such, not possible,” he said.
“Tomorrow there is a meeting for mayors in Bulawayo and mayor Pirato will attend in his official capacity. It is correct that they had their issues with the mayor and they should have used the council lawyer to explore ways for their action, which is against the law.
Although they conducted their research extensively to carry out their project, they unfortunately used an old Act which has since been amended. They should have consulted section 278 of the Constitution and sections 114 and 114A of the Urban Councils Act.”
Among the allegations against Mafuta is failure to attend council sessions and disrespect of external meetings held in other towns where he would pop up to sign in, then sneak out and reappear on the last day to sign out and claim his allowance. He is also accused of having left his deputy to board a bus back home after having gone to Masvingo together on council business using an official vehicle.
Mafuta was elected Beitbridge mayor after the 2023 harmonised elections, but his selection was shrouded in controversy after fellow Citizens Coalition for Change councillors complained they were whipped into line to vote for a newcomer, handpicked by a local leader.
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