CHINHOYI — The board of inquiry tasked to investigate alleged misappropriation of public funds, false medical aid claims and dereliction of duty by suspended Chinhoyi town clerk, Ezekiel Muringani, last Friday recommended for his immediate dismissal.
Muringani’s lawyer Takuwa Mudambanuki yesterday confirmed the development, which he described as shocking.
“The board of inquiry into my client’s matter on Friday handed the recommendation that he (Muringani) be dismissed. But my argument is that the decision was politically-induced and was against the law,” said Mudambanuki.
“There are no records of previous warnings relating to the charges he was facing. Therefore, there ought to have been a situation where my client would be allowed another chance to prove his competence.
Besides, there is no law that supports dismissal on the basis of failing to supervise a subordinate. We now await council’s position.
“This verdict was shocking and arrived at as dictated by powers-that-be at Harvest House (MDC-T headquarters). The board was a mere smokescreen taking orders from above.” Chinhoyi mayor Councillor Claudius Nyamhondoro refused to comment.
However, according to sources, council will soon call for an emergency meeting to pass a resolution whether or not to fire the embattled town clerk.
The 15-member probe team led by renowned lawyer Alec Muchadehama opened investigations into Muringani’s conduct three months ago following his suspension by Nyamhondoro on July 13.
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The suspended town clerk was facing charges of falsely claiming over $12 000 medical assistance when he was on full medical aid and another of dereliction of duty.
The dereliction of duty charge stemmed from his alleged failure to supervise former finance director William Mandinde, who was fired a few months ago for allegedly defrauding council of $79 629,68.
At the start of the inquiry, Muringani was also facing a charge of collecting and pocketing $4 135 cash from council’s main revenue collection point last year without signing for it.
The charge was later dropped owing to insufficient evidence.
Dube, Manikai & Hwacha law firm is representing the municipality.
