Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo has with immediate effect suspended two Karoi town councillors over improper conduct in the execution of their duties. The MDC-T councillors, Jackson Mbonga (Ward 6) and David Mutambirwa (Ward 2) have been suspended in terms of the provisions of the Urban Councils Act. In two separate letters dated February 12, 2013 and served on the duo last Friday, Minister Chombo bars the councillors from conducting any council business within or outside council premises. During their suspension, the two would not be entitled to any remuneration from council.

Mbonga's suspension follows his incarceration after he swindled a desperate home-seeker of US$300 in 2011. He is still serving his three-month jail term at Karoi Prison.

Mutambirwa was suspended for five charges of misconduct during council business. On December 19 last year, Mutambirwa, who was the finance committee chairperson, came late for a meeting where he found the committee's vice-chairperson Mr Nicholas Chigwende chairing.

Although he tried to take over the chair, Mr Chigwende refused to give in.

Mutambirwa, who is believed to have been drunk, then lay on the table in protest, thereby disrupting the council's formally scheduled Finance and Investment Committee meeting.