Chronicle EditorLovemore Meya Herald Correspondent
CHITUNGWIZA human resources manager Mrs Mary Mukonyora has been accused of draining council resources by outsourcing external lawyers on labour issues, which she could ordinarily do. Mrs Mukonyora was hauled over the coals by the caretaker commission chairperson, Mr Madzudzo Pawadyira, for failing to account for the number of labour cases being handled by external lawyers, Matsikidze and Mucheche Legal Practitioners.
Chitungwiza, which now owes $165 000 to the law firm, is now forking out $10 000 monthly to retire the debt. Mrs Mukonyora told a full council meeting last Friday that most of the labour issues related to outstanding terminal benefits for workers whose contracts had been terminated.
“In our September monthly report and on the issue (of) labour matters, during the same month, we had 81 cases which are before the courts, arbitrators and our external lawyers,” said Mrs Mukonyora.
“The majority of the cases are of the employees whose services have been terminated and, through the Ministry of Labour, are suing council for either non-payment of salary arrears, terminal benefits or unfair dismissal. We have been, however, trying to negotiate with the employees; whenever we go to the Labour Court, we do out-of-court settlements, where we are insisting on coming up with payment plans. But, however, because of our financial constraints, we have not been complying on paying at the agreed period.” She said if council honours agreed payment plans, Chitungwiza will have to pay $63 200 per month.
“We have been talking to people to withdraw their maters, but some are already before the courts. In the October report, we have seen an increase in the number of cases all to do with the issues I have highlighted and we have 72 cases we negotiated for payment plans.” After being quizzed on why the municipality had seemingly surrendered all labour issues to outsourced legal practitioners, Mrs Mukonyora said there are other cases that were been handled by the internal human resources department.
“The schedule I have now, Mr Chairman, there are certain issues which we also inherited and there other cases which were a bit complicated involving labour. But if we check the schedule, there are a number of cases we are handling internally,” she said. Mr Pawadyira was particularly concerned about the number of key issues that still remain parked at the law firm. The commission ordered Chitungwiza to stop referring cases to external lawyers.
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