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NewsDay

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Mahachi ‘fired’

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Harare City Council is set to fire suspended town clerk Tendai Mahachi on three months’ notice without hefty benefits following recommendations by the human resources committee, NewsDay has learnt.

Harare City Council is set to fire suspended town clerk Tendai Mahachi on three months’ notice without hefty benefits following recommendations by the human resources committee, NewsDay has learnt.

By Xolisani Ncube/Moses Matenga

The move could result in Mahachi being ejected from Town House empty-handed as both top government and council officials have reportedly agreed that his $3 million demands were “ridiculous”.

Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere said he had ordered Harare mayor Bernard Manyenyeni to give him a report on Mahachi’s demands.

“I have asked the mayor to give me a report on the Mahachi issue and then we will ensure that there is an amicable settlement that protects the interest of ratepayers and his (Mahachi’s) dignity,” Kasukuwere said.

“Sensitivity to both parties is paramount. Certain things (hefty exit package) can’t be done.”

HARARE CITY COUNCIL TOWN CLERK TENDAI MAHACHI s According to the committee’s resolutions which, however, have to go through a full council meeting, recommendations have been made to terminate Mahachi’s contract of employment as town clerk on three months’ notice.

Although council human resources committee chairperson Wellington Chikombo could not confirm the matter, top officials told NewsDay that the resolution was a foregone conclusion as the councillors were reportedly in agreement on the decision.

Chikombo said: “Please give us opportunity to put our shoulders on the wheel. Decision making is not domiciled in the media houses, it is domiciled in the council chambers.”

A full council meeting will sit next Thursday.

“The committee has recommended that his (Mahachi) contract be terminated and is given three months’ notice,” the council official, who attended the meeting, said.

Other councillors who attended the meeting also confirmed the committee’s recommendations.

Mahachi was in July this year sent on forced leave by Manyenyeni for standing in the way of the city succession plan and sitting on council directives to rationalise hefty salaries for executives.But the suspended town clerk brewed a shocker this week when he returned to draw a list of lavish demands worth a whopping $3 million for the city to secure his exit.

Top on the list is $100 000 salary for every year served, a new Jeep Cherokee Overland registered in his name at the local authority’s expense and a council house located in an affluent Harare neighbourhood. Mahachi also demanded six months’ fuel at the city’s expense, a 6 400 square metre commercial land, and six months’ worth of newspaper subscriptions, among other demands.

Residents groups have slammed Mahachi for his alleged “insensitivity”, urging council to terminate his contract.

If the full council meeting endorses the recommendations, Mahachi will leave council virtually empty-handed.