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Gweru in dilemma over fired town clerk

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Gweru City Council says it has not yet received official communication from government to reinstate Daniel Matawu, who was fired as town clerk in July 2016 on charges of incompetence and negligence.

Gweru City Council says it has not yet received official communication from government to reinstate Daniel Matawu, who was fired as town clerk in July 2016 on charges of incompetence and negligence.

By Stephen Chadenga

Last Thursday, Bulawayo High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi ordered Matawu’s reinstatement, saying the tribunal which handled the matter was illegally constituted.

Council spokesperson Manford Gambiza yesterday said the local authority had not yet been briefed on Matawu’s status.

The court ruling has placed council in a dilemma, as it had already appointed Elizabeth Gwatipedza as town clerk following Matawu’s expulson.

“We are yet to receive communication on his [Matawu] reinstatement. Should we receive such communication, we would take appropriate action,” he said.

Matawu was found guilty on 15 counts of gross incompetence and neglecting his duties before his subsequent dismissal by a three-member commission which was appointed by former Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

But through his lawyer Reginald Chidawanyika, Matawu won an order to nullify his suspension and dismissal, arguing that the decision was unlawful.

In his court challenge, Matawu cited Kasukuwere, Gweru City Council’s former commissioners Tsunga Mhangami, Chamunorwa Parenyi and Mark Choga, as respondents.