The Bulawayo High Court has ordered suspended Gweru mayor Hamutendi Kombayi to surrender his official car and the mayoral regalia. The provisional order delivered by Justice Martin Makonese on Tuesday following an urgent chamber application filed by the Gweru City Council aimed at compelling Kombayi to surrender the property.


In court papers, Gweru City Council which is being represented by Jumo Mashoko and Partners is the applicant while Kombayi appeared as the respondent. Hamutendi has 10 days to file a notice of appeal and opposition with the registrar of the High Court if he intends to challenge the order. “Pending the confirmation of the provisional order, the respondent be and is ordered to return the vehicle Mazda BT 50, within 12 hours of service of the order.
The Court also ordered the suspended Mayor to surrender the mayoral regalia within the same period, failure of which the Sherriff, will seize the mentioned properties and return them to the council.
According to affidavits in the court’s possession from the town clerk, Kombayi was served with several letters ordering him to return the said property, but ignored and never bothered himself with any response.
Kombayi, who is still the legal Mayor of Gweru, was suspended by Minister Saviour Kasukuwere together with 11 Councillors, and they have since taken action against their suspension, through their lawyer, Chitere Chidawanyika and Partners.

According to suspension letter signed by the Minister of local government Kasukuwere, Kombayi and the 11 Councillors are not going to receive any salaries or allowances, during this period.

Efforts to get a comment from the suspended mayor were fruitless by the time of going to press, as his mobile kept ringing with being picked.