Govt appoints Chitungwiza taskforce

dispute rocking Chitungwiza municipality.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo on Wednesday said the committee should ensure that employees were paid before New Year.
He ordered council management to work in harmony with councillors under the leadership of Mayor Alderman Philimon Chipiyo. Alderman Chipiyo has been accusing town clerk Mr Godfrey Tanyanyiwa of sidelining him and transferring the mayor’s duties to deputy Mayor Rangarirai Mutingwende. Chitungwiza municipality owes its employees up to US$4,5 million in unpaid salaries and bonuses.
The committee headed by the ministry’s finance director Mr Stephen Hlatshwayo will investigate allegations of financial indiscipline levelled against the municipality’s management by the workers’ committee.
“The committee will investigate allegations of mismanagement. It will also work to ensure that employees are paid,” he said.
Minister Chombo said the employees’ demands were in order as they simply wanted to be paid outstanding salaries.
“We want everyone to enjoy the festive season and be able to plan for the New Year with their money,” he said.
The committee deputy chairperson Mr Alpha Nhamo was seconded to the council’s finance department and would have the last say in all financial transactions.
The council’s employees downed tools demanding that they would only report for duty when town clerk Mr Tanyanyiwa and director of housing and community services Ms Jemina Gumbo resigned.
They accused management of abusing council funds, a development that resulted in them not being paid on time. Workers’ committee chairperson Mr Nyikadzino Matsikidze confirmed that workers had agreed to go back to work following the minister’s intervention.

 

 

“We are going back to work. We are happy with the minister’s address. We expect the new committee to assist the council,” he said.
Mr Tanyanyiwa welcomed the appointment of the committee, saying it would help shed light on the false allegations by workers.
On Thursday employees spent the whole day singing protest songs and dancing at the council headquarters.
The workers demanded the nullification of the job evaluation exercise which they alleged was done improperly.