HARARE - Harare deputy mayor Emmanuel Chiroto, whose story of rags to riches has caused consternation in the capital, is one of the 12 councillors expelled by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s MDC.

The dismissal followed an audit led by the party’s deputy secretary-general Tapiwa Mashakada — on activities of rural and urban councils that were being implicated in corrupt activities.

Secretary-general Tendai Biti made the announcement last week after the national executive meeting, but did not name the expelled councillors save to say they were from Harare, Bindura, Gweru and Zvishavane councils.

The Daily News learnt yesterday that in Harare besides Chiroto; Peter Marange, Exevia Vengesai and Pumulani Musagwiza were also fired.

In Bindura, deputy mayor Ivory Matanhire together with his councillors Makesure Mafukidze, Norbert Dhokotera, Rindai Muchemwa, Rickson Kaseke and Elizabeth Mafios have been expelled.

In Gweru Mayor Tedious Chimombe has also been booted out.

In Zvishavane, council chairperson Alluwis Zhou was also fired. The expelled councillors were served with letters of expulsion yesterday.

Harare MDC spokesperson Obert Gutu said: “The MDC Harare provincial executive welcomes the decision taken by the party’s national executive committee on Friday, August 24, 2012 to dismiss from the party, four corrupt councillors in the Harare City Council.

“As the people’s party of excellence, the MDC will never tolerate corruption in whatever form it takes. Corruption is a cancer that should never be allowed to contaminate and eventually, destroy the people’s project.”