Youths grab suspended Zanu-PF chairman’s vehicle
By Leonard Ncube
ZANU-PF youths in Bulawayo yesterday took away the official vehicle which suspended provincial chairman Cde Isaac Dakamela was using.
Cde Dakamela was suspended by the party’s Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) on Sunday.
The PCC passed a vote of no confidence in Cde Dakamela at a meeting attended by about 100 members, including 14 Central Committee members. They accused him, among other things, of defying the party.
A group of youths gathered at the party’s provincial headquarters Davies Hall yesterday morning where they first strategised on how they could take away the vehicle, a green Toyota Hilux and its keys from the “ousted” chairman.
This reporter was monitoring the situation at the party offices.
Cde Dakamela was in his office where he said he was compiling minutes about previous meetings and writing his report about the developments in the province with the intention of taking it to the party’s headquarters in Harare.
The vehicle was not parked at the party’s offices at the time as Cde Dakamela’s driver had reportedly driven to the city centre to refuel in preparation for the journey to Harare to present the report.
12 councils in salary arrears
By Temba Dube
A total of 12 out of 23 urban councils are in salary arrears, with the town of Redcliff having reportedly gone for more than two years without paying its workers.
This came out in a report in which the Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers Union (ZUCWU) has given the municipalities two weeks to catch up on salary payments, failure to which the union would call for a nationwide strike.
The union also accused the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe (UCAZ) of illegally refusing to have workers represented at the Local Government Board and sabotaging plans for municipal employees to form a national employment council.
ZUCWU general-secretary Mr Moses Tshimukeni Mahlangu said a total of 12 urban councils had gone for sometime without paying workers, with only 11 up-to-date on salary payments.
Mr Mahlangu accused urban councils that are dominated by MDC-T councillors of deducting pension contributions from workers salaries and not paying them to the Local Authorities Pensions Fund (LAPF).
He said the councils were also deducting union dues from salaries, but not submitting them to the union.
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