Chombo had written a letter dated August 10, 2011, to the City Fathers instructing them to reinstate Masinire using his powers under section 314 of the Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) which reads, “Minister may reverse, suspend, rescind resolution, decisions of councils”.
In the letter Chombo said: , “I am compelled to exercise the powers vested in me, to rescind the decision to discharge Mr Masinire, at least until the implementation of the findings of the Investigation Team, and direct that he be reinstated to the office of the Chamber Secretary with immediate effect.”
However, a source at Gweru City Council privy to the goings on of the matter said after receiving the minister’s directive concerning the reinstatement of Masinire, council held a full special meeting last week where the City Fathers resolved to defy Chombo’s directive.
The source said councillors were adamant that Masinire would never set his foot in the town house again, and have vowed to take the minister “head on” over the issue.
“They resolved to defy Chombo’s directive and instead invited him to Gweru so that they could tell him why they could not reinstate Mr Manasire, but Dr Chombo snubbed the invitation for a meeting which was scheduled to take place on Monday last week,” said the source.
Masinire is also alleged to have tipped three former MSU staffers interview questions for top council positions which they secured. The three have since been fired from council and their positions, as well as that of the Chambers Secretary’s position, are still vacant.
One councillor argued that since they had fired Masinire and the three former MSU staffers, there was no way they could be directed to reinstate the Chamber Secretary.
“If we are to reinstate Mr Masinire, the consequences would be too serious as we would have to reinstate the former MSU workers. This would be a sign of defeat as the issue is now turning to be more of a political war,” said the councillor.
Post published in: News