SUSPENDED Harare town clerk Tendai Mahachi has made astronomical claims from his employer, demanding an exit package of up to $3 million from the cash-strapped local authority.
BY MOSES MATENGA
Mahachi has written to council through his lawyers from Magwaliba and Kwirira Legal Practitioners demanding the mutual termination of his employment on condition that among many other things, he was paid a severance package of four months’ salary for every year served.
Mahachi has served council for eight years and with a reportedly monthly salary and allowances of $37 642, the suspended town clerk could take home a cool $1,2 million.
He also wants council to buy him a brand new Jeep Cherokee Overland model, at an estimated cost of close to $50 000.
The Jeep Cheroke Overland would be in addition to the top-of-the-range Toyota Land Cruiser V8, valued at over $100 000 he is currently using.
Mahachi also demanded that the V8 be fully serviced at council’s expense.
He also claimed “cash in lieu of notice” of three months’ salary payment in lieu of notice, which would translate to approximately $150 000.
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“In the year 2013, our client signed a specific term contract of employment, which expires in the year 2018,” part of the demand letter read.
“The initial contract of employment had been signed in the year 2007.
“Within the current five-year contract, our client signed a performance-related contract for each year.
“The unexpired portion of our client’s contract is, therefore, up to 2018.
“Our client shall be paid all his accrued leave days, medical aid shall be paid to cover a period of six months from the effective date of termination of the contract, three months’ salary shall be paid as relocation allowance.”
The demands by the suspended town clerk come at a time the country has witnessed a radical change in its labour laws, which has seen more than 20 000 workers losing their jobs following a Supreme Court ruling that employers can terminate employee contracts on three months’ notice.
Mahachi also demanded six months’ worth newspaper allowances, a payment of six months contribution to the funeral allowance benefit, six months’ salary to be paid as severance salary.
Mahachi’s six months’ salary is believed to be around $220 000 using the $37 000 rate a month.
He was suspended by Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni in July to allow for investigations into a litany of accusations against him and “allow the succession issue at Town House”.
The suspended town clerk also demanded four months’ salary, believed to be around $140 000 as service pay on top of six months fuel allocation.
“Our client will be allowed to purchase stand number 19 404 Southerton Township, Harare, measuring 6 400 square metres, which he is currently leasing at the price equivalent to 33% of the value of the property,” the letter further read.
Mahachi demanded allocation of a house in Belvedere, number 9A Lancaster Road, that he was entitled to, but never occupied as he chose to use his private residence.
“That property will, therefore, be transferred to our client, with the City of Harare paying capital gains tax for the transfer,” the lawyers wrote.
On average, houses in Belvedere cost more than $150 000.
Payment in pension, according to Mahachi, shall be made in terms of the existing and applicable pension regulations.
He also demanded salary arrears relating to performance bonuses.
Mahachi has also demanded a cellphone handset, a year’s school fees for two children.
He said the package shall be settled and paid over a period of two months with effect from the date of agreement and the rate at which the salaries shall be paid shall be as at March 2013 rates.
Harare city human resource committee chairperson Wellington Chikombo refused to discuss the matter yesterday, but seemed to confirm the demands that he described as “utopian”.
“I got sight of his letter. It sounds more utopian, fantasy and prefigure,” he said. “However, the mayor is seized with matter.”
