The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Online News Editor
SENIOR management at Bulawayo City Council has set up a code of ethics to guide the operations of councillors and other council employees, but face resistance from councillors who are arguing that their mandate is guided by the electorate.
The code of ethics which the city Town Clerk, Mr Christopher Dube withdrew before further deliberations during a council in-committee meeting had already attracted the wrath of the councillors who argued that they should not be set at par with council employees as their mandate was guided by the electorate. The code of ethics draft is set to be tabled before the next full council sitting.
According to a council confidential report, the code of ethics will among other things prohibit both councillors and employees from having any financial interest, direct or indirect in any contract with the local authority.
Further, if endorsed, councillors and employees will not be allowed to induce or attempt to induce any subordinate to participate in an election campaign, contribute to a candidate or political committee or engage in any other political activity relating to a particular candidate.
“The mayor and councillors may not have a financial interest in a contract with, or the sale of any land, materials, supplies or services to any entity to which they, either as city councillors or as the council, selects or nominates members of its governing body. A councillor or employee shall not intentionally, knowingly or recklessly disclose or use any confidential information gained by reason of the said councillor’s or employee’s position concerning the property, operations, policies or affairs of the city,” reads part of the draft policy.
The code of ethics policy also states that a councillor or employee may not use their official position to unfairly advance private interests or to grant or secure for any person any form of special consideration, treatment, exemption or advantage beyond that which is lawfully available to other persons.
“A councillor or employee shall not acquire an interest in any contract, transaction, zoning decision, or other matter. If the councillor or employee knows, or has reason to know that the interest will be directly or indirectly affected by impending official action by the city.
“A councillor or employee may not enter into an agreement or understanding with any other person that official action by the councillor or employee will be rewarded or reciprocated by the other person. A councillor or employee shall not appoint or employ any relative or any member of his or her household to any office or position of employment within council,” reads part of the draft policy.
The policy also states that no employee shall be permitted to be in the line of supervision of a relative or any member of his or her household.
“If an employee, by reason of marriage, promotion, recognition or otherwise, is place into the line of supervision of a relative, one of the employees will be reassigned or other appropriate arrangements will be made for supervision.
“A councillor or employee shall not solicit, accept or agree to accept any gift or benefit for himself or herself or for his or her business,” reads the code.
According to the draft policy, anyone who has knowledge of a violation of the provisions of the code of ethics shall report this violation to the local authority.
“A report shall be made to the ethics review board, the chief internal auditor or the chamber secretary. The report shall state the name of the councillor or employee who believes that a violation of a provision of the code of ethics has been or may have been committed.
“The report shall also state the identity of the persons who allegedly committed the violation, a statement of the facts on which the belief is made and any other pertinent information concerning the alleged violation,” reads the report.
