Salary tribunal member calls it quits

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
A prominent member of the disciplinary committee tasked to hear the cases of four Harare City Council directors suspended over alleged financial abuse, has quit alleging frustration by the city executives.

In June last year, a tribunal led by retired High Court judge Justice George Smith, was tasked by council to investigate the alleged defiance by Harare City Council executives to cut salaries as per Government directive in 2015.

The officials dismissed the report arguing that the tribunal did not understand council procedures and Justice Smith, who chaired the tribunal, was not really in it and at times walked out of proceedings.

Acting Town Clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube, Cainos Chingombe (human capital director), Tendai Kwenda (finance director) and Prosper Chonzi (health services), were suspended in December last year for allegedly being among 40 council managers who benefited from unsanctioned salaries and allow- ances.

Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni yesterday confirmed that tribunal labour expert Mr George Makings had quit over what he termed frustration by the city executives.

“I can confirm that Mr Makings has quit. A replacement lawyer has been found but the rest of the panel is in place. The team is working flat out to ensure the matter is finalised in due course,” he said.

An audit had shown that nine executives were overpaid their retrenchment packages by $1,2 million, while they also received unbudgeted for bonuses exceeding $600 000.

The officials contend that they were entitled to the salary and benefits.

Recently lawyers representing Mrs Ncube said she was “too stressed” to defend herself in any disciplinary hear- ing.

Mrs Ncube said she had been on sick leave since February after a medical doctor certified her to be unfit for work.

She said stress triggered high blood pressure and the medical practitioner recommended that she goes on leave.

While on sick leave, Mrs Ncube said, council served her with a letter of suspension and a one-day notice to prepare for a disciplinary hearing on May 3 this year.

Mrs Ncube, through her lawyers Scanlen & Holderness, filed an application nullifying the suspension.

She is also seeking an order declaring council’s decision to try her while on sick leave, as unlawful.