adminNyemudzai Kakore Herald Correspondent
TWO senior managers at cash-strapped Chitungwiza Municipality are illegally in office as their appointments are against a Government directive of 2014 while their continued stay has prejudiced the municipality of hundreds of thousands of dollars. Director of urban planning Mr Conrad Muchesa’s Grade 15 position became redundant in 2014 after the post was abolished on the organogram while Mrs Mary Mukonyora is occupying the position of head human resources manager (Grade 15) although her legal position is that of human resources manager (Grade 13).
Mr Muchesa’s net salaries and allowances have accrued to more than $100 000 while Mrs Mukonyora is being paid double her legal salary with benefits such as a council vehicle.
Mrs Mukonyora was involved in an accident while driving the council vehicle two weeks ago and the car is said to have been damaged beyond repair. She is also the acting chamber secretary.
According to the minutes of the general purpose committee special meeting held on June 23, 2014: “The Town Clerk Mr George Makunde engaged the director of Urban Planning Services to part ways with Council since the post no longer existed on the 2013 Organogram and report to Council.”
A letter from the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing dated September 4, 2014 highlighted Mrs Mukonyora’s inexperience for the job and directed that her position be downgraded.
“It was observed that Mrs Mary Rashamira had no Local Authority experience at the time of appointment though she is qualified for the job. The Local Government Board at its Special Board Meeting held in September 2014, Resolution Number LGB/19/2014 and acting upon the powers vested in the Board in terms of Section 123 (e) as read with Sections 134 and 135 of the Urban Council’s Act, (Chapter 29:15) approves the regularisation of the appointment of Mrs Mary Rashamira as Human Resources Manager,” reads the letter from Government.
During a full council meeting held at the municipality on Wednesday, vice chairman of the finance committee Councillor Charamba Mlambo said he was surprised why the two managers were being given preferential treatment.
“Our organogram was approved by the Ministry in 2014 to release Mr Muchesa of his duties. It is now raising eyebrows why the Town Clerk Mr George Makunde and the Mayor Councillor Phillip Mutoti are treating the two differently,” he said.
“To achieve the 70:30 percent ratio on salaries and service delivery, our municipality released more than 300 from their duties. I wonder why Mr Makunde is hesitating and is now in fear of the Labour Act when it comes to the two when council is losing hundreds of thousands of dollars.”
Ward 25 Councillor Mr Simon Mhike concurred with Clr Mlambo and said the decision lay in the hands of the Town Clerk to release Mr Muchesa and regularise the position of Mrs Mukonyora so that council coffers do not continue to bleed.
Mr Makunde, in his response last Wednesday, said there were concerns which had made him backtrack on the decision but he is aware of the matter.
“I take note of your concerns and we will implement as it is. Each day is a horror for me when I come here as a result of releasing people from their duties, it is not easy. Mr Muchesa signed everything already, I have all the reports and every detail. We should be mindful that we are dealing with human beings,” he said. Mayor Mutoti resolved that Mr Makunde should solve the two related matters and report to council when they convene another full council meeting.
Online Reporter