Chitungwiza chamber secretary trial takes new twist

THE trial of Chitungwiza Municipality chamber secretary Ms Charity Maunga on a slew of allegations, including abuse of office, failed to take off last Friday after she tendered her resignation at the 11th hour.

Ms Maunga was supposed to appear before an independent tribunal set up by Chitungwiza Municipality at Chitungwiza Magistrates Court.

Council sources said Ms Maunga’s lawyers delivered the resignation letter to council, which jeopardised the process.

“The trial could not proceed at the eleventh hour after Maunga’s lawyers tendered her resignation to council. This affected the whole process and the tribunal said it will soon advise the council on the way forward on the matter after the development,” said the source.

Town clerk Dr George Makunde confirmed the development.

“Yes it is true the tribunal could not proceed with its work after she tendered her resignation,” he said.

Maunga also acted as town clerk after Dr George Makunde was “fired” last year in September by the then Caretaker Commission appointed by former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

Ms Maunga was advised of her suspension without pay and benefits in a letter dated May 8, 2018.

“The council is suspecting you of, among other things, acting or conducting yourself inconsistently with the fulfilment of express or implied conditions of your contract during your employment with the council,” read the letter.

“To this end, council is conducting an investigation into the following issues: incompetence, unprofessional conduct, dishonesty, abuse of office and mismanagement of resources or funds.”

The local authority alleged that Ms Maunga breached Statutory Instrument 15 of 2006 in terms of National Code of Conduct and ordered her to surrender all council property in her possession.