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Problems mount for Masvingo City Council

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MASVINGO - Problems continue to dog the embattled Masvingo City Council after the Messenger of Court pounced again last Friday and attached five more cars for council directors and another mayoral Mercedes Benz over a $3,5 million debt owed to workers in a salary dispute dating back to 2008.

MASVINGO – Problems continue to dog the embattled Masvingo City Council after the Messenger of Court pounced again last Friday and attached five more cars for council directors and another mayoral Mercedes Benz over a $3,5 million debt owed to workers in a salary dispute dating back to 2008. REPORT BY TATENDA CHITAGU OWN CORRESPONDENT The Deputy Sheriff last month towed away a Mazda Eagle twin cab, mayor Femias Chakabuda’s official Mercedes-Benz and several other pick-up trucks.

Before the attachment, the Deputy Sheriff had seized several computers, fire tenders, ambulances, refuse trucks and office furniture.

The attachments only stopped after council made an urgent High Court chamber application late last December.

However, the application was thrown out as not urgent just before the Christmas holiday, prompting the latest raid.

Chakabuda confirmed the development yesterday, but said council was still awaiting the High Court to hear their appeal despite losing the urgent chamber application.

“They are trying to pressure us so that we can panic and negotiate with them, but we are awaiting the ruling by the High Court,” Chakabuda said.

“Even though our urgent chamber application was thrown out, our appeal is still there at the High Court. We will only negotiate if the High Court rules against us, but for now, we wait for the High Court. They can proceed and sell the cars if they want.”

The attachments by the Messenger of Court have left service delivery and normal council business in limbo as all emergency services, including refuse collection, have been crippled by non-availability of vehicles.

The property seizures followed a Labour Court ruling compelling council to pay its workers salary arrears to the tune of $3,5 million.

The award was registered at the High Court, prompting the Deputy Sheriff to execute the order.