The standoff has sparked another clash between Chombo and his deputy Sessel Zvidzai who are defending different camps.
Zvidzai is backing mayor Claudius Nyamhondoro who suspended Muringani for allegedly stealing an unspecified amount of money from council.
Nyamhondoro told The Standard that the underfire council chief would not be allowed to report for work tomorrow.
He said he had written the suspension letter last week but Muringani had refused to accept it.
“Muringani is refusing the letter of suspension because he is aware of the letter’s contents as I told him sometime last month before he went on leave,” Nyamhondoro said.
Nyamhondoro copied the letter to Chombo and the Chinhoyi district administrator, a W Tembo.
Chombo responded in writing saying a committee had been set up to help Chinhoyi get back on its knees once again.
But Zvidzai shot back saying the appointment of the team that is set to start work tomorrow was a clear sign that “the administration’s leg is weak”.
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Zvidzai added that the Town Clerk “should just pack his bags and go home and not to jump from one office to another trying to cling to the post”.
Nyamhondoro said Muringani seems to be getting backing from Chombo after a woman who claimed to be the Clerk’s wife told him over the phone that they would not succeed because the minister was on their side.
Muringani also vowed that he would not throw in the towel claiming that he was a fighter.
The suspension follows recommendations by the audit team which recommended that Muringani be investigated together with the Finance Director William Mandinde who has since been fired, as well as council secretary Abel Gotora.
The trio is being accused of defrauding the council of some thousands of dollars.
According to the audit report, Muringani took US$4 150 from the main collection points without signing for it.
It is further alleged that despite the fact that he was on full medical aid he claimed a sum of US$12 535 in hospital fees.
Last year, Muringani was suspended only for Chombo to intervene and reinstate him against the wishes of Chinhoyi residents.
