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highest-paid town clerk earning US$5 500 while the lowest will get US$1 500.
This covers town clerks of all cities, local boards and towns.
The salaries exclude allowances that in most instances are above 85 percent of the basic salaries.
The circular announcing the maximum salaries was availed to urban local authorities at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair in Bulawayo.
However, the issue has not been tabled in council meetings, raising fears the town clerks wanted to sweep the matter under the carpet.
The Local Government Board-approved salaries exclude allowances such as housing, vehicle and fuel allocation, cellphone and entertainment.
This means the final packages for the city’s most senior workers still remain unreasonable given poor service delivery and in comparison to the salaries of the ratepayers who carry the burden of such huge pay cheques.
Local Government Board chairman, Mr Pisirayi Kwenda, in a letter dated 27 April 2011, said the “recommended salaries would apply to new appointees only”.
This again means Government has not done anything on the high salaries paid to sitting town clerks some of whom are reported to be taking home around US$15 000 after deductions.
He said the salaries were agreed at a full board meeting held in February this year.
“The allowances shall be subject to quantification through council resolution and approval by the minister. If council finds it necessary to provide allowances other than the above cited, it shall present its case to the minister for consideration.
“For the avoidance of doubt, while we expect the new allowances to take effect forthwith, the recommended salaries will apply to new appointees only,” he said.
Should Harare employ a new town clerk today, the person would be paid US$5 500 while the one for Bulawayo would be paid US$5 000.
Town clerks for Mutare, Gweru, Kwekwe, Kadoma, Masvingo are expected to earn US$3 500 while those for Bindura, Chinhoyi, Chegutu, Marondera, Gwanda, Chitungwiza, Kariba, Victoria Falls and Redcliff should earn US$3 000.
Town secretaries for Ruwa, Norton, Rusape, Karoi, Zvishavane, Shurugwi, Plum-tree, Chiredzi, Chipinge, Beitbridge and Gokwe would get US$2 000 while their counterparts in Hwange, Epworth, Chirundu, Lupane and Mvurwi would be paid US$1 500.
The Local Government Board is empowered to make model conditions of service for senior local authorities managers and provides guidance for the general organisation and control of employees in the service of councils and ensure the general wellbeing and good administration of councils’ staff.
Londile Moyo
Online Reporter