WOMEN Coalition of Zimbabwe (WCoZ) Midlands Chapter has rallied a thousand residents in Gweru to demand an explanation from the city’s mayor Josiah Makombe on why the local authority decided to give former town clerk Daniel Matau a $400 000 golden handshake at a time when the city was struggling to provide services to ratepayers.
BY BRENNA MATENDERE
The coalition submitted a petition with the signatures of 1 000 residents.
WCoZ, led by Midlands Chapter chairperson Alice Maqata, demanded to know how the cash-strapped local authority would finance the package.
“We, the undersigned Women Coalition of Zimbabwe, together with the people whose signatures are appended in support of the cause, hereby present a petition, noting the following… NewsDay of October 15 states that Gweru City Council has extended a $400 000 golden handshake to former town clerk Daniel Matau,” part of the petition read.
The women expressed concern over how the council, which is owed over $58 million by residents and is struggling to settle its own debts, would raise the $400 000.
“GCC is on record saying it is owed $58 million by residents. We have it on good record that GCC owes ZESA $28 million… In the spirit of transparency and accountability, we demand to know how GCC intends to finance the golden-handshake,” the coalition said.
Terms of Matau’s severance package indicated in a deed of settlement entered into between council and Matau’s legal team from Chitere and Chidawanyika Legal Practitioners showed that the former town clerk would also get a residential stand, a commercial stand and his Jeep Cherokee official vehicle, among other benefits.
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Makombe confirmed that he had received the petition and said he was still studying it.
“I am yet to read the petition in full. This Friday, I have an engagement and will be out of office. So, perhaps, I will be able to give a comprehensive comment on Monday,” he said.
