Source: Mushore torches storm at Town House | The Herald June 2, 2016
Innocent Ruwende Municipal Reporter
Harare City Council directors and other employees have been thrown into confusion after former NMB chief executive Mr James Mushore wrote a circular to all city departments informing them that he is in charge of the local authority despite Government rescinding his appointment.
Mr Mushore was appointed town clerk in April by the local authority, but Government rescinded his appointment saying council flouted procedures of appointing a town clerk as outlined in the Urban Councils Act and the Local Government Board.
On Monday, Mr Mushore wrote a letter to all city departments informing council employees that he was in charge.
“This memorandum serves to advise you that contrary to the press reports that you might have seen some three weeks ago, I remain the town clerk of Harare. I have not gone on leave and am available to perform my duties as per my mandate.”
“The chamber secretary, Mrs Josephine Ncube, ceased to be the acting town clerk when I commenced duty on April 1, 2016. Be guided accordingly,” reads the circular.
Councillors, however, say Mr Mushore has never attended any council meeting fearing backlash.
Acting Mayor Christopher Mbanga yesterday said Mrs Ncube was in charge of the local authority on an acting basis.
“Mrs Ncube is the acting town clerk. I am in Bulawayo I am still to have sight of the circular you are referring to,” he said.
Council sources say Mr Mushore also wrote a separate letter to Mrs Ncube instructing her to report to him. Efforts to contact her were futile.
According to the law in question, council was supposed to submit three candidates to the Local Government Board for approval. Chamber secretary Mrs Josephine Ncube has been acting since the retirement of Dr Tendai Mahachi last year.
Mr Mushore has been reporting for duty despite the directive, saying he will continue doing the “work he was appointed to do”.
It is not clear, however, if Mr Mushore will receive any salary from the local authority as he is still to get an employment number because he did not complete the employment process.
Local Government Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere is on the record saying Government was not against Mr Mushore’s appointment, but he must be subjected to the necessary vetting processes in compliance with the Urban Councils Act.
“We rescinded their decision in the first instance which related to the illegal hiring of the town clerk. The status quo remains. Mushore has no business at town house,” he said.
COMMENTS