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Suspended Chitungwiza Chamber Secretary, Ms Pricilla Vengesai, was yesterday sacked after she was found guilty on charges of conducting herself inconsistently with the conditions of her contract.
Town Clerk Mr George Makunde, yesterday confirmed the development after a special council meeting. “In the meeting we held, it was agreed that she should go home after she was found guilty,” said Mr Makunde.
Reads party of the judgment: “The Council hereby adopts and ratifies the dismissal of Ms Pricilla Vengesai with effect from the date of suspension. Accordingly, Ms Pricilla Vengesai is hereby discharged from Council’s employ with effect from date of suspension. Authority is hereby being sought for council to place an advertisement for the filling of the post after submitting a report to the Local Government Board.”
However, Ms Vengesai who had reported for duty yesterday after the lapse of 14 days following her disciplinary hearing, challenged the dismissal.
She argued that council failed to reach a consensus over the prescribed time period.
“I was not handed my judgment after the stipulated 14 days of my disciplinary hearing. Today (Monday), the Town Clerk should have handed me my dismissal later. If you dismiss someone, you give the person a letter and judgment,” she demanded.
Ms Vengesai was suspended in August following accusations that she mobilised councillors to pass a vote of no confidence on her superiors.
The allegations were that she wanted to topple Chitungwiza mayor Mr Phillip Mutoti and his deputy when she called for a special meeting in which she said was meant to address important issues affecting the council.
The meeting was then blocked by Mr Makunde and she was eventually suspended.
However, Chitungwiza Workers Union spokesperson Reverend Ephraim Katsina said the councillors’ actions were frivolous.
“We are not happy that Ms Vengesayi has been fired, the culprit is the town clerk who is superintending over the rot and corruption at the council,” he said.
“The Mayor is not learned, instead of Mr Makunde reporting to the Mayor; it is the other way round.”
Sources privy to the goings on at the cash-strapped council said the reason behind the sacking of Ms Vengesai was her scuffle with Clr Mutoti and Mr Makunde.
Online Reporter