The Sunday News
Munyaradzi Musiiwa, Midlands Correspondent
THE Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Cde July Moyo, has appointed a seven-member taskforce team to investigate Gweru City Council on among other issues, internal squabbles, suspension of Town Clerk, Ms Elizabeth Gwatipedza as well as the relationship between councillors and local land developers.
The investigating team which is led by a Mr H Chinyengetere started its work on Friday, it has been established.
In a letter addressed to Mr Chinyengetere and copied to the local authority and Minister of State for Midlands Provincial Affairs Senator Larry Mavima dated 31 October, Minister Moyo said the investigating team is expected to submit its findings and recommendations in two weeks.
“In terms of Section 311 of the Urban councils Act (Chapter 29:15), I hereby appoint you the chairperson on an investigation team. The other members of the investigation team are Ms E Vheremu, Mr Mudavanhu, Mr Mupengesi, Mr Nhamo and Mr Gundumura. Mrs Nyamutenha would provide the secretariat to the investigation,” he said.
He gave the team two weeks to complete the investigations.
“The terms of the reference for the investigations to establish the relationship between council and management including corporate governance issues. Establish the state of affairs in the department of Engineering services before and during the tenure of the current director.
“Establish the circumstances leading to the commission of inquiry. Establish the events leading to the suspension of the Town Clerk. Establish the views of the stakeholders on service delivery in Gweru and the views on the latest developments in the city.
“Look into related matters of interest, including procurement of goods and services,” reads the letter.
This comes following the suspension and subsequent hearing of town clerk Ms Gwatipedza over among other allegations incompetence and negligence.
The hearing commenced on Wednesday. Ms Gwatipedza, through her lawyer Mr Valentine Mutatu of Mutatu and Partners Legal Practitioners, challenged the validity of the suspension arguing that the appointment process of the disciplinary authority was not done by a duly constituted special council meeting.
Gweru City Council appointed Mr Melusi Moyo of Dube-Banda, Nzarayapenga Legal Practitioners as the disciplinary authority to preside over the disciplinary hearing.
Ms Gwatipedza’s legal team argued that, the acting Town Clerk, Mr Douglas Chikwekwe and Mayor Councillor Josiah Makombe could have been involved in the appointment of Mr Moyo albeit being witnesses.
The legal team also argued that Clr Makombe did not append his signature on the suspension letter but was signed on his behalf hence the suspension was not procedural.
