admin
Blessings Chidakwa Municipal Correspondent
Chitungwiza Municipality’s plans to reinstate suspended acting town clerk Engineer David Duma and housing director Hazel Sithole have sparked outrage among residents.
The two were sent on 90 days forced leave in December on allegations of criminal abuse of office.
This follows reports of selling a commercial stand for the construction of a service station in Seke without following procedure.
Further, the pair faces another allegation of unlawfully selling a commercial stand at Chigovanyika Shopping Centre in St Mary’s.
Local Government and Public Works Minister July Moyo said the officials’ presence at council offices was likely to hamper investigations.
It was feared that if the two continued reporting for duty, they could tamper with evidence in contravention of their bail conditions.
In a letter issued after the allegations were levelled against the two, Minister Moyo expressed concern that despite being charged with criminal abuse of office, Duma and Sithole remained in office.
Standard practice and Part IX of the Urban Councils Act, demand that when conducting an investigation and instituting disciplinary processes against officials charged with criminal activities, they need to be away from office.
Section 316 of the Urban Councils Act frowns upon situations where accused officials remain in office when facing such serious allegations, as that has the effect of undermining investigations.
A decision was then made that once they have been cleared by the courts, the two could then be reinstated.
Chitungwiza Municipality set up a tribunal to investigate the two and reportedly cleared them of any wrongdoing.
It now wants to reinstate them on the strength of their findings, despite pending courts cases.
Critically, the Ministry of Local Government is yet to respond to their findings.
The Herald understands that a section of councillors aligned to the mayor, Councillor Lovemore Maiko, is pushing for the reinstatement of Duma as acting town clerk, but are blocking the return of substantive town clerk Dr George Makunde.
Other councillors want Duma and Sithole fired and Dr Makunde reinstated.
Dr Makunde was suspended in September last year on allegations of gross incompetence. His case is still under an independent tribunal.
In an interview yesterday, Clr Maiko said investigations were concluded on the cases involving Duma and Sithole.
“As a council, we are yet to conduct a meeting and deliberate on the findings, but for now, no one is back at work,” he said.
Acting town clerk Dr Tonderai Kasu said Duma and Sithole remain on 90 days forced leave and the period is yet to expire.
Chitungwiza Residents Trust director Diana Kuveya said residents were against the planned reinstatement of Duma and Sithole.
“At first, mayor Maiko was arrested together with Duma, whom he proceeded to promote as acting town clerk, after firing Dr Makunde,” she said.
“Now we hear they want to reinstate Duma again. There are underhand dealings being conducted behind the scenes.
“As residents we are concerned as to why they are rushing the reinstatement, are there no other people with qualifications who can run Chitungwiza efficiently?
“We will take appropriate action to stop that.”
Various groups representing Chitungwiza residents have voiced concern over the plan by council to allow Duma and Sithole to resume duties.
Residents suspect some council officials have interest in the case.
Chitungwiza and Manyame Rural Residents Association acting director Mr Brighton Kanyama advised council to stop the reinstatement until the accused are cleared by the courts.
However, Chitungwiza Progressive Residents’ Association secretary-general Mr Gift Kurupati argues that council is short-staffed, and badly requires the services of Duma and Sithole.
“If the council does the procedure of investigating and also brought the two for hearing on the allegations and found them not guilty, we have no problem with their reinstatement.
“If they still have some pending cases in court of law, let’s wait for the outcome of the court judgment. Everyone is innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
Online Reporter