VICTORIA FALLS - The Town Council here has finally given in to pressure from the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Ignatius Chombo award its former Mayor a hefty retirement package.
The council has agreed to give Tose Sansole an exit package with a total value of US$182 000. It consists of a house, car and several benefits cash benefits.
When contacted for comment the Mayor, Councillor Nkosilathi Jiyane, confirmed the latest development but was reluctant to give more details on the matter.
“The issue of the former Mayor’s package has been finalised but I’m not obliged to give details,” he said.
Chombo issued the directive sometime last year but the council has been ignoring it until now. According to a source that declined to be named, the local authority decided to comply with the Minister’s directive after a heated debate between the councillors.
“We have been engaged in difficult discussions over this issue since the beginning of this year. Some of the members were adamant and they heavily opposed the matter, but they ended up giving in when the Mayor (Clr Jiyane) used his powers to get the matter implemented within the stipulated period.
“The truth of the matter is that the council has no money so it will be the ratepayers who will suffer the consequences,” said a source who requested anonymity.
Post published in: Opinions