By Lovemore Meya
The Municipality of Chitungwiza is reportedly losing over US$500 000 per month on salaries paid to employees in acting positions as a result of substantive ones being on leave of absence due to pending court cases.
Ward 24 Councillor Obert Matsika raised concerns about the significant amountof money being “wasted” during the 499th Ordinary Council meeting.
“Chairperson, before we go any further, I am much worried about the acting positions. What have we done? It sounds as if the issues are dragging and last time the audit team produced a report indicating that we are losing a lot of money,” he said.
“About US$506 000 is being spent on salaries for employees on acting positions. What have we done to cut short the wage bill? This is ratepayers money being wasted. This money could be put to good use like paying employees salaries, I rest my case.”
To follow up on the issue, Cllr Murada also sought responses from the Acting Town Clerk, Mr Japson Nemuseso.
“Do we have any finalised case whose position has someone acting on it? This can go a long way in cutting the wage bill. If an employee is dismissed, so be it because finalisation of a case does not translates to one coming back to work.
Adding to what he had said earlier, Cllr Matsika mentioned that a Council resolution was in place that allows employees cleared of charges to return to work.
“However, we were told that the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission team once called inquiring. One Councillor even raised concerns that between ZACC and the magistrate who was more superior? We need answers from your office because we do not have any condition that bars one to report for duty once their case has been finalised.
“We do not have a resolution stopping anyone from coming to work. People create some avenues to stiffle efforts and barricade fellow employees from coming to work due to their self-interest. This must stop forthwith, you are all equal and should not victimise each other.”
Responding, the General Purpose Committee chairperson, Cllr Watmore Muchairi said Council operate professionally through policies.
“Last year, we adopted an organogram that lays out the reporting structure, as such we failed to complete the task since it does not have job evaluations to allocate each grade. This means even if we want to recruit new staff, we are unable to.
“We also have two circulars issued by Mr Muguti (Tafadzwa) former Permanent Secretary of Harare Metropolitan Province on Devolution and Minister (July Moyo, former Local Government and Public Works) stating that anyone accused should stay home.
The circulars covers everyone and if you are asked to go home, does not mean we fired you. You still get paid. This is beyond us as a local authority,” said Cllr Muchairi.
Mr Nemuseso in his response also highlighted that management was following the set parameters.
“There was a directive to that effect and Council gave a condition that anyone without pending issues to report for duty. If one has been cleared and us having not charged them, automatically it is a reistatement.
“As I speak, one employee came today (Wednesday) advising us has been cleared and is expected to start work on Monday (18 August).”
ALSO READ : Uproar Over Missing Audit Report in Chitungwiza
