THE 10 Gweru MDC-T councillors, who were reinstated last week, following their suspension in August 2015 on allegations of gross misconduct, maladministration and abuse of public funds, will not be entitled to back pay allowances, a report from the independent tribunal appointed to investigate the councillors has revealed.
by STEPHEN CHADENGA
Last week, Local Government minister Saviour Kasukuwere wielded the axe on former mayor, Hamutendi Kombayi and ward 4 councillor Kenneth Sithole and lifted the suspension on 10 MDC-T and three Zanu PF councillors.
The independent tribunal’s report indicates that the MDC-T councillors will not be entitled to their back pay allowances although their three Zanu PF counterparts, who were absolved of the charges, will get at least $3 000 each for the 18 months they were on suspension.
“The accused is reinstated as councillor of Gweru City Council, but is not entitled to any back pay allowances for the period he was on suspension up to the date of reinstatement,” part of the sentence on each of the reinstated MDC-T councillors shows.
After the suspension of the councillors in 2015, Kasukuwere appointed a three-member caretaker commission, led by Tsunga Mhangami, to run council affairs, pending the findings of the tribunal investigating the councillors.
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Meanwhile, Kombayi has indicated that he will contest his expulsion, which he claims was politically motivated.