Tsholotsho RDC in crisis

TSHOLOTSHO Rural District Council says it is waiting for guidance from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works after its chief executive officer, Mr Nkululeko Sibanda and the executive officer Finance, Mr Bryton Malandule who are on suspension, were placed off remand.

Mr Sibanda and Mr Malandule were arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) last year on charges of abuse of office.

Tsholotsho RDC chairperson, councillor Rophas Ndlovu said a management crisis has hit the local authority and was affecting service delivery.

“Mr Sibanda and Mr Malandule were removed from remand but they haven’t reported for work as the Ministry has directed that all officials with pending court cases should not report for duty,” he said.

Clr Ndlovu said after the two were removed from remand, council wrote to the Ministry seeking guidance on the way forward.

The letter by the then Minister of Local Government and Public Works, July Moyo, dated February 22, 2022 and addressed to all mayors and council chairpersons reads:

“The surge in the arrest of senior council employees on charges relating to criminal abuse of office, among others, has sent mixed reactions to the public that they are employed to serve.

“My office has always maintained the unwavering stance that in the public interest and as a good corporate governance practice, any official who has a matter pending before the courts may not be allowed to continue with their day-to-day operations in council until they have been acquitted by the same courts,” read the letter.

“Accordingly, I hereby direct all local authorities, in terms of section 313 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) and Section 155 of the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29:13), to forthwith ensure that all employees whose cases have not yet been concluded by the courts, are barred from reporting for duty until they have been acquitted. I expect this directive to be implemented with immediate effect”.

Clr Ndlovu said operations of the council have been affected and further worsened following the resignation of the internal auditor, Mr Lovemore Ndlovu in January this year under unclear circumstances.

Mr Ndlovu resigned after officials from the Auditor-General’s Office conducted an audit of the council’s operations. His resignation came a day after he had accepted a council resolution to appoint him acting chief executive officer.

A lawyer, who cannot be named for professional reasons, said being removed from remand means that the State will proceed by way of summons once ready for trial.

“The accused no longer has any bail conditions and will be free to collect any money he paid as bail. If the employee was on suspension he or she must be reinstated with full benefits,” said the lawyer.