Beitbridge councillors passed a vote of no confidence in Mayor Peter Pirato Mafuta on Monday evening, citing incompetence, dereliction of duty, and delays in implementing key capital projects.
The majority of councillors on the local authority belong to the opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party.
Following a lengthy full council meeting, the councillors resolved to remove Mafuta from his position and appointed Deputy Mayor John Manatsa to serve in an acting capacity.
The councillors said Mafuta will remain suspended while they await a response from the Minister of Local Government and Public Works regarding their recommendation.
The motion was tabled by Ward 4 Councillor Emmanuel Takutaku and supported by six councillors. The adopted motion reads in part:
As Councillors, we have lost confidence in the leadership of the Mayor, Mr Peter Pirato Mafuta.
The Urban Councils Act requires the council, through the office of the Mayor, to supervise the executive.
The council has several resolutions and projects that were budgeted for years back, but to date, they have not been completed.
Several stalled projects were cited as reasons for the vote, including the upgrading of Dulivhadzimu Bus Terminus, the acquisition of a grader, and the construction of a sewer trunk line in newly developed suburbs.
Councillors also accused the Mayor of failing to provide updates on key development issues raised during meetings.
They expressed frustration over his frequent unavailability, which they said has disrupted scheduled full council meetings despite the existence of an approved calendar.
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