The Mayor, Farai Nyandoro, said MDC-T councillors had to take non-cooperating members of management head-on in order to turn around the fortunes of the Mashonaland East Provincial Capital.
“We realised there was no way council could deliver with management staff pocketing thousands of dollars in monthly allowances on top of hefty salaries. Starting July 1, allowances will be reduced by 50 percent. Some of the allowances even covered expenses such as entertainment and transport – despite officials benefitting from company vehicles and houses. We finally got our way despite stiff resistance from some senior members of staff,” said Nyandoro.
He indicated that the local authority would purchase refuse trucks soon.
“Our main objective is to turn around the fortunes of Marondera for the better. Our previous efforts in this regard were frustrated by members of management who had their own agenda. We have now engaged a substantive Chief Security Officer, a land surveyor and four health technicians,” Nyandoro said.
Sources within the council told The Zimbabwean that the five new members of staff were engaged after a fierce battle between MDC-T councillors and council chamber secretary, Ruramayi Nyamuzihwa, who allegedly wanted to protect the interests of under-qualified Zanu (PF) officials holding the posts in acting capacity.
Although Nyamuzihwa recently received direct instructions from Minister Chombo to engage the services of the specialists, he remained adamant that “there is no way I would implement verbal Ministerial directives”.
“We were shocked to learn that a mere chamber secretary was defying recommendations made by the with the blessing of the minister. Anyone could see that MDC-T councillors were talking sense when they proposed that essential departments should be headed by qualified personnel. Their endeavours were not driven by political interests, but were clearly aimed at delivering services to rate payers,” said a council insider on condition of anonymity.
Post published in: Zimbabwe News