Online Reporter
Blessings Chidakwa
Zimpapers Political Hub
Harare Mayor Councillor Jacob Mafume has appointed an external tribunal to preside over the disciplinary proceedings of the city’s suspended Town Clerk, Engineer Hosea Chisango.
Eng Chisango was suspended in October over his alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar streetlights scandal and the failure to implement the city’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.
He is also facing additional charges, including the alleged unlawful extension of his contract beyond its expiry in July 2023 and the awarding of tenders to blacklisted companies.
The streetlights scandal centres around the controversial awarding of a US$9,2 million tender to Juluka Enndo Joint Venture, a company owned by businessman Moses Mpofu.
The tender was meant for the refurbishment of streetlights in Harare.
In a leaked council memo seen by Zimpapers Political Hub, Mayor Mafume said the decision to appoint an independent tribunal was necessary to ensure fairness in light of potential conflicts of interest within the council.
“lt is not easy for the council to deal with Engineer Chisango’s matter due to potential conflicts of interest, undue influence and other factors among councillors,” said Mayor Mafume.
“To ensure that Engineer Chisango receives a fair hearing, I have exercised my powers to appoint an external, independent counsel and disciplinary authority to conduct the hearing in accordance with the Labour Act.”
