Chinhoyi cllrs, mayor fight over town clerk suspension
CHINHOYI councillors have clashed with mayor Owen Charuza over the suspension of town clerk Maxwell Kaitano for “gross incompetence”.
The councillors resolved to suspend Kaitano two weeks ago.
Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) ward 9 councillor David Malunga moved a motion to have Kaitano suspended and was seconded by Zanu PF ward 11 councillor Voster Mashevedzana.
But Charuza, who was not part of the full council meeting, convened a special meeting last week and refused to write Kaitano’s suspension letter citing some irregularities in coming up with the resolution.
“I will not write a letter to suspend the town clerk as the councillors resolved. That resolution is null and void as it violates the Urban Councils Act. According to section 139 subsection 3, I am supposed to fire the town clerk then notify the councillors not for them to make a resolution. Town clerks are not fired by resolutions” Charuza said.
CCC councillors are now up in arms with their mayor whom they now accuse of betrayal.
At a special meeting, Charuza said the town clerk will be given a second chance admitting that service delivery is at its worst in Chinhoyi.
Some CCC councillors felt betrayed by their mayor.
“We did our part because we felt service delivery was pathetic and it was the town clerk who is to blame as he is failing to supervise heads of departments who are sleeping on duty,” said one councillor who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.
There were rumours that the move to suspend the town clerk was triggered by his refusal to allocate them residential stands on State land. However, councillors rubbished the allegations.
“That’s a lie, we never discussed residential stands we are entitled to; we are just focusing on service delivery for now. They are trying to politicise the town clerk suspension,” said another councillor said.
Contacted for comment, the town clerk referred all questions to Charuza.