HARARE City Council stands by its decision to suspend acting town clerk, Josephine Ncube and human capital director, Cainos Chingombe for allegedly defying a Cabinet directive to slash their salaries.
BY BLESSED MHLANGA
This has set council on a collision course with Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who, on Tuesday, ordered Ncube and Chingombe’s reinstatement.
Mayor, Bernard Manyenyeni yesterday told NewsDay that the council made the correct decision in suspending the two over their alleged involvement in the salaries scam, which resulted in the city losing millions of dollars.
“Our decision was right and legal, the two are suspended and will have to come and answer the charges. It was in the best interests of the city and residents to have them suspended,” he said.
Kasukuwere said council had jumped the gun in suspending Ncube and Chingombe, who were at the centre of the salary scam, which saw them continue to draw abnormally high salaries despite a government directive to cut them.
Manyenyeni said he had not yet seen the directive and would have to read it first before giving a full response to the minister, who is widely seen as backing Ncube.
“I was not at the Press conference and I have not seen the directive, so I will have to read his reasons and appreciate the directive before giving a response,” he said.
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This will become the second time Manyenyeni has clashed with Kasukuwere, after the two went toe-to-toe over the appointment of town clerk, James Mushore, who has since been blocked from taking up his post.
Kasukuwere said he was not defending Ncube and Chingombe’s alleged corrupt activities, but was against the selective application of the law at Town House, which he said borders on personalities.
“I am not saying they should not be suspended or fired, those who have to be fired will be fired, but it has to be done in a legal way and personality clashes cannot be allowed,” he said.
