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Harare city councillors say they will continue with retrenchments despite attempts by workers and the affected directors to stop the exercise.
This comes amid reports that council has, in unclear circumstances, reinstated one of 10 senior officials retrenched last month. Dr Stanley Mungofa (Health Services) was sent packing as part of the city’s Government-ordered downsizing, but he reportedly then got a one-year contract extension.
This has prompted the other eight retrenched directors to reportedly engage lawyers to push for their reinstatement as well. The 10 directors were expected to share US$3 million as part of their retrenchment package.
The retrenchment affects more than 1 000 council employees and would cut the city’s salary bill to free up more money for service delivery.
The city was to remain with five department heads. Previously, directors gobbled a combined US$500 000 monthly in salaries and allowances.
Salaries have consumed more than half of Harare’s revenue in recent times.
Chair of the human resources and general purposes committee Clr Wellington Chikombo said the retrenchment would not spare anyone on the list.
“We had a challenge with the workers’ trade unions who were lobbying for the exercise to stop because they were afraid of losing their subscriptions,” he said.
“However, this boat will not be rocked. The retrenchment is going on and those who are disgruntled should approach the courts of law.”
On the issue of Dr Mungofa, Clr Chikombo said they were consulting with the Health and Child Care Ministry, but added: “No one will be spared in this exercise; we are rounding off consultations on that issue.”
A council source said: “Management’s explanation is that Dr Mungofa’s retrenchment should be done in consultation with the health ministry and they were doing that.”
The retrenchment targeted directors above 60 years and councillors are questioning why some are being left out. Harare Residents Trust director Mr Precious Shumba said the restructuring should be done transparently.
“That can only be successful without the involvement of an interested party who is the town clerk (Dr Tendai Mahachi),” he said. “These are the same people who were instrumental in creating a bloated management and they should never be part of the cleaning exercise.”
Retrenched directors include Mr Misheck Mubvumbi (treasurer), Mr Cosmas Zvikaramba (business development), Mr Justine Chivavaya (housing and community services), Mr Psychology Chiwanga (urban planning services) and Mr Dombo Chibanda (amenities).
Dr Mahachi, human capital director Dr Cainos Chingombe, Ms Josephine Ncube (chamber secretary), Engineer Philip Pfukwa (engineering services) and Dr Prosper Chonzi (health) are the remaining directors.
Housing and community services and the chamber secretary’s office will form corporate services; while engineering services, waste management and urban planning now fall under the department of works.
The other directorates are corporate services, finance, health, human resources and public safety.
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