Vusumuzi Dube
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
FORMER Bulawayo Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube is reportedly pushing for a one-year extension of his contract which expired last Monday.
Mr Dube’s four-year contract, according to the local authority, ended at midnight on 30 September.
In a statement, Acting Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu revealed that despite the local authority, in February resolving to extend the Town Clerk’s contract by two years, they have failed to obtain the approval from the Local Government Board.
“Whereas council had resolved (7 February 2024) to extend the contract subject to approval by the Local Government Board, a request of approval was sent to the Local Government Board on 25th March 2024. However, by the end of day on 30 September 2024 such approval had not been obtained,” said Clr Ndlovu.
He said BCC will soon start searching for a new Town Clerk, while Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou will be assigned as the Acting Town Clerk until a substantive one is appointed.
It has since emerged that Mr Dube is now pushing for a one-year extension of his contract with his replacement appointed six months before the end of his proposed new tenure to allow for a “proper” handover-takeover.
According to a council confidential report, Mr Dube met the Mayor, Councillor David Coltart during which he submitted his new proposals.
“The Mayor reminded members that Council (7 February, 2024) resolved to extend the employment contract for the Town Clerk by a further two years subject to approval by the Local Government Board.
“He advised members, that he had discussed the extension with Mr Dube and they agreed that the extension should be for one year and non-renewable, the position of Town Clerk be advertised before end of the year 2024 and the incoming Town Clerk to assume duty six months before Mr Dube’s contract ends to allow for a smooth handover,” reads the report.
According to the report, it was revealed that despite the local authority sending their initial submissions on the two-year extension to the Local Government Board and making numerous follow-ups on the issue with the board, they had not responded to council’s request.
“The (former) Town Clerk advised that the Local Government Board’s response was most likely to be in by end of business on 30 September 2024. Councillor Mpumelelo Moyo recalled that council already had a resolution on the matter and all that was remaining was the Local Government Board’s response.
“The Mayor thanked the Town Clerk for the work he had done for the city. It was resolved to recommend that council’s resolution (7 February, 2024) on the extension of the Town Clerk’s contract by a further two (2) years be rescinded, instead Mr Dube’s employment contract be extended by one year (1 October 2024 to 30 September 2025) subject to approval of the request sent to the Local Government Board in March 2024 with the position of town clerk be advertised before end of the year 2024 and the incoming town clerk assumes duty six months before Mr Dube’s contract ends to allow for a smooth handover,” reads the report.
Online Reporter