Maravi

(HERALD) MDC-T councillors harass journalists

MDC-T councillors harass journalists
Herald Reporters

MDC-T councillors implicated in illegally evicting Glen Norah families from houses they have been occupying since 1972 yesterday hurled insults at Herald and ZBC reporters covering a passout parade of 89 metropolitan police.

The councillors unsuccessfully tried to eject the reporters from the function for exposing their corrupt activities.

Councillors have no power to bar journalists from council functions, that function rests with the mayor or town clerk.

Led by Clr Peter Marange — one of the three accused councillors — they refused to accord guest of honour Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo any respect when he arrived.

"Get out of here you silly journalists. You think this is a Zanu-PF council. You will not intimidate us with your lies . . .

"MDC runs this council and since you sympathise with Zanu-PF, why don’t you go to their events and leave those who sympathise with us to cover our events?" charged Clr Marange.

His colleagues joined in heckling the journalists and invited council security personnel to eject the journalists from the public event.

Minister Chombo was appalled by the behaviour and vowed to press on with investigations into the councillors’ alleged illegal takeover of houses.

He said the councillors’ actions were inconsistent with those expected of public officers.

"It is really a shame how these councillors behave.

"Why should they harass journalists for doing their job of exposing corruption?

"If the councillors had queries pertaining to the stories of their corruption, they should have done it in an orderly manner and presented facts rather than being abusive bullies.

"Records show that the councillors acquired the houses from residents illegally and Government moved in to correct the misdeeds," he said.

Minister Chombo said Government had established a team to investigate corruption in councils.

"We have set up a seven-member committee that is going to investigate deeper and uncover other corrupt activities which have been going on.

"Government will not tolerate such behaviour especially if it is being perpetrated by public office holders.

"Residents look up to councillors for representation and solving of their grievances and if those councillors start stealing from them, then who will protect the residents?"

In February, three other MDC-T councillors changed ownership of Highfield houses into their names. Earlier this month, a council official evicted a Tafara family in unclear circumstances.

In his address at the passout parade, Minister Chombo said Government would not tolerate corrupt municipal police officers.

"Let me remind you on the need to shun corruption. Those found on the wrong side of the law will meet the full wrath of the law," he said.

He warned metro police to respect human rights and uphold the sanctity of human life during their day-to-day business.

Labels: MDC CORRUPTION, MDC VIOLENCE, PRESS FREEDOM

posted by MrK @ 3:47 AM