adminWalter Nyamukondiwa Chinhoyi Bureau
Chinhoyi Municipality chamber secretary and acting town clerk Mr Abel Gotora has been accused of faking his qualifications and has been given two months to produce original copies of his supposed masters degree in law which he allegedly obtained in Russia in 1989.
Councillors called upon Mr Gotora, who has photocopies of his contested Masters Degree in Law obtained from Voronezh State University in his file, to produce the original copies.
A report by a consultancy firm, Greenfingers Consultancy Pvt Limited after a job evaluation and competence audit, questioned the anomaly.
The report has recommended that Mr Gotora be given at least two months to communicate with the university to get a testimonial and the degree transcript.
Reads part of the recommendations: “It is recommended that the Chamber Secretary be given time (two months) to communicate with the university to obtain a testimonial and a degree transcript as evidence of having attained the qualification”.
Should this fail, the firm said, the municipality should refer the matter to the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing for guidance.
Sources at council said councillors wanted Mr Gotora to produce the original papers within a month.
The photocopied certificate submitted by Mr Gotora and in possession of The Herald is written Diploma on the top, with details in handwriting underneath.
“This is to certify that Abel Gotora was admitted in 1984 to Voronezh State University and in 1989 completed the full course of the above mentioned university having specialised in jurisprudence,” reads the handwritten statement on the certificate.
“By the resolution of the State Examination Commission of June 23, 1989 he/she is a qualified jurist. By the special decision of the State Examination Commission, Abel Gotora is awarded the academic degree of Master of Arts in Law.”
The certificate further says that Mr Gotora is entitled to carry out professional activities of any kind with the qualification.
Mr Gotora was once suspended on March 14, 2008 by the then mayor Mr Ray Kapesa over the same issue.
“In terms of section 139 of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15 as read with the Urban Councils Act Regulations, my office regrets to advise that you are hereby suspended from employment with effect from today March 14, 2008 to produce professional qualifications (hard copies) within 14 days,” read the suspension letter written by Mr Kapesa then.
The suspension included other allegations, but Mr Gotora was reinstated under unclear circumstances.
Contacted yesterday, Mr Gotora said he could not comment because he was in a meeting.
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