Gweru gets new town clerk, chamber secretary

THE Local Government Board has appointed Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza as the new town clerk for Gweru City Council following the dismissal of Mr Daniel Matawu in July this year on allegations of incompetence and maladministration.

Ms Gwatipedza was the town clerk for cash-strapped Redcliff Municipality. The Board also appointed former Harare Provincial Magistrate Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe as the new chamber secretary after the post fell vacant following the dismissal of Mr Richard Masinire in 2010 over allegations of nepotism.

However, Mr Masinire’s matter is still to be concluded by the Supreme Court after he challenged his dismissal.

The Chamber Secretary’s position was since 2010 held by Mr Gibson Chingwadza on an interim basis pending the conclusion of the matter.

Gweru City Council Commission Chairperson, Mr Tsunga Mhangami confirmed the new development saying the two were appointed by the Local Government Board on 17 November after they were successful in the interview conducted two months ago.

“I can confirm that Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza is now the new town clerk for Gweru City Council. We also have a new chamber secretary Mr Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe who was the Harare Provincial Magistrate. The two were appointed by the Local Government Board last week Tuesday and they are supposed to assume duty as soon as possible,” he said.

Mr Matawu was suspended on January 15 this year pending investigations on allegations of gross incompetence and inefficiency in the performance of his work together with the entire council leading to the setting up of the commission which is running affairs of the local authority in the absence of a full council. He was facing 29 counts but was exonerated of 14 others by the board of enquiry set by the Ministry of Local Government Public Works and National Housing to investigate the matter and deliberate on his fate before making recommendations to the commission.