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Some council executives are resisting Government’s directive to slash salaries and allowances by over 50 percent, setting the stage for a showdown with their parent ministry.
Though the majority have complied, The Sunday Mail has gathered that Harare and Gweru executives do not want to take home any dollar less.
In early 2015, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo directed all 92 councils to ensure their budgets have a 30:70 salary-to-service ratio.
A survey last week showed that Masvingo, Mutare and Chitungwiza were among those who had complied.
Harare mayor Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni said he would meet Dr Chombo over the matter.
“We were set to meet the minister today (Friday), but he was unreachable for the greater part of the day, so we have postponed the meeting. We cannot get our budget approved because of the executive salaries.
“We had proposed US$9 000 for the town clerk (Dr Tendai Mahachi) and the salaries would have then been designed appropriately among other members of the executive. However, what has been happening is that some members of the executive have appealed to the minister, arguing that the salary cut is too steep.”
Dr Mahachi’s gets US$21 000 monthly, excluding vehicle, housing, airtime and workshop allowances.
Grade 1-3 executive members are raking in between US$10 000 and US$14 000 monthly.
Harare’s cumulative wage bill is around US$8 million against monthly revenue of US$11 million, and the proposed 2015 budget is US$272 million.
Gweru mayor Cllr Hamutendi Kombayi said: “Our executive is holding us to ransom because they are refusing to implement Government’s directive. The budget was supposed to be approved in January, but up to now, nothing has been done.
“The reason for their refusal is that the salary cut is too much. We have since advised them to implement the directive and then take legal steps when the budget has been approved.”
Gweru collects US$1,2 million per month on average and has a wage bill of the same amount.
The city proposes that its town clerk earns US$4 500 down from US$9 000, while other executives get between US$2 000 and US$3 000. The executives presently earn between US$5 000 and US$7 000 monthly.
Mutare mayor Cllr Tatenda Nhamara said they had complied with the directive and slashed the town clerk’s salary from US$8 000 to US$5 000.
“We have implemented the directive partially, as we removed the retention allowance and our US$19 million budget has since been approved by Government. We also implemented the 30:70 percent ratio required by Government, thus giving us scope to embark on this year’s projects.”
Online Reporter