CHINHOYI Municipality has once again advertised the post of treasurer after the office bearer, who had an olive branch extended to him by the appointing authority as he is reportedly under-qualified, failed to attain the requisite qualifications by the December 31 2012 deadline. REPORT BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
In an unprecedented move late last year, the Local Government Board (LGB) appointed then deputy treasurer Zephaniah Chirarwe acting treasurer on condition he attains a full Chartered Institute of Secretaries (CIS) diploma or equivalent qualification by last December.
The LGB is vested with powers to appoint all senior council managers.
The LGB had said Chirarwe should be placed on an acting capacity and if he does not attain the qualification, council should re-advertise the post in January 2013.
Chinhoyi mayor Chipo Mlotshwa told NewsDay at the weekend Chirarwe had failed to meet his side of the bargain hence the re-advertisement of the job.
“We are exploring the directive as given by the LGB. This was a contentious decision which some councillors were against. As council, we had resolved to abide by the board’s advice to give him the job, but he has failed to satisfy the requirements. Therefore, the post is up for grabs following adverts flighted last week and we hope to conduct interviews soon leading to the appointment of a suitable candidate,” Mlothswa said.
The LGB directive to appoint Chirarwe had irked some councillors who viewed the appointment as flawed and urged a probe.
Zanu PF special interest councillor Simba Kanzou had queried why the board settled for the “least” qualified candidate when there were better qualified people who participated in interviews.
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However, councillor Simeon Gotami (MDC-T) argued Chirarwe had brought back sanity to the financially-troubled local authority.
Chirarwe has been acting treasurer since the axing in October 2011 of ex-treasurer William Mandinde on allegations of fraud and financial impropriety following recommendations by a resuscitation team set by Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo.
