MDC-T threatens councillors

via MDC-T threatens councillors | The Herald August 24, 2015

THE MDC-T says it will discipline its councillors in Harare who approved the dismissal of 3000 workers last week. The party has been widely condemned for trying to fire the employees.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere intervened to stop the dismissals.

This was after the city fathers failed to justify the decision.

The workers were set to receive letters of termination of contract on three months’ notice on Tuesday last week in line with a recent Supreme Court ruling.

In an interview, MDC-T spokesperson Mr Obert Gutu said the opposition party wanted to protect the interests of workers.

“Whoever initiated the cruel and insensitive sacking of 3 000 City of Harare workers cannot be a genuine and committed member of the MDC-T. All the 3 000 will remain at their jobs. They can be rest assured that we as a worker’s party will protect their position.

“As a democratic party, we believe in due process and obviously investigations are being carried out with a view towards taking disciplinary action against any of the councillors who might have taken part in this very misguided and unfortunate decision,” he said.

Harare Mayor Bernard Manyenyeni, who was out of the country when the decision to sack employees was made, said no resolution was made by council although officials had been directed to implement the directive.

“Any discussions on downsizing are not yet official as no resolution was made by the full council,” he said.

National Constitutional Assembly spokesperson Mr Madock Chivasa on Wednesday rapped MDC-T hypocrisy considering that the party wants to be regarded as pro-labour. Harare Municipality Workers Union chairman Mr Cosmas Bungu said the termination decision was ill-informed as it sacrificed workers based on their political affiliations.

Urban and Rural Council’s Workers Union secretary Mr Benard Dhanda said council could not dismiss an employee like disposing garbage but should give workers a dignified exit through formal negotiations.