The Sunday News
Vusumuzi Dube, Municipal Reporter
BULAWAYO Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube could have all but thrown the city’s former Deputy Mayor, Mr Gift Banda’s challenge on his expulsion to the cleaners after admitting that the local authority had indeed given the politician a stand at Hume Park which was at the centre of charges that led to his sacking.
Mr Banda who had been cleared by the Government- appointed independent tribunal, of any wrongdoing in the purchase of a piece of land at Ascot Racecourse for the construction of town houses, was instead found guilty of using his influence to acquire a lease for the construction of a social club at Hume Park. He, however, immediately challenged the decision claiming that there was never a lease for the said property.
However, in the latest revelations Mr Dube, in a letter written to Bulawayo Progressive Residents’ Association (BPRA) programmes co-ordinator, Mr Rodrick Fayayo, confirmed that while initially the lease was not granted it was eventually granted with alterations.
He said there was no conflict ramification as had been earlier alluded as there were council records to prove that while the application had been initially declined on 14 May 2014 because the land was set aside as a public open space, it was eventually granted after the company, which Mr Banda was part of — Entertainment Headquarters — had appealed the decision.
“It is against this backdrop that the applicants had qualms with the council decision not to grant the application. To that end, they sought audience with the then Town Clerk, the late Mr Middleton Nyoni asking the council to reconsider its decision to decline their application. It was at that juncture that council resolved to somewhat alter their earlier decision by granting them only a portion of what they had initially applied for.
“In that context, one would say the application was granted but with modifications. Perhaps the point that needs to be clarified further is that contextually whether or not the application was granted. It was partially granted and partially declined. The long and short of it is that while the applicants did not get what they initially wanted they, however, went away with 3,82 hectares, as opposed to what they had applied for,” said Mr Dube.
He said the confusion that had arisen was on the basis that in the first instance there was a rejection of the application in toto but it had subsequently got a limited approval.
“We appreciate the fact that scrutiny of council work can only bring forth positive outcomes in our management of council affairs. It is our firm philosophy that all stakeholders have significant role towards good corporate governance of our city.
“Our vision to be a leader in local governance by 2024 is not a mantra but one that is pretty much operable,” said Mr Dube.
Contacted for comment, Mr Fayayo said while they appreciated the town clerk’s openness they were still investigating the matter as they suspected there was someone who was trying to mislead the courts, the Government and the public.
“As BPRA we are trying to get to the bottom of this issue as clearly there is someone within council who is trying to mislead everyone. What is clear is that there was some corruption which took place, now our job is to expose them,” said Mr Fayayo.
Last month Mr Banda took his fight to overturn his dismissal to the High Court where he cited Local Government Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, Bulawayo City Council, the independent tribunal and its members Advocate Hilda Makusha Moyo, Midard Khumalo and Lucy Manhokwe as the respondents.
In his founding affidavit, Mr Banda said the tribunal erred when it found him guilty of gross misconduct, arguing that its decision was premised on irregular and unreasonable findings.
“The basis of this application is that the decision of the first respondent (independent tribunal) of finding me guilty of an act of gross misconduct in the acquisition of a lease by Entertainment Headquarters is grossly irregular and unreasonable. It is premised on the independent tribunal’s grossly irregular and unreasonable finding that by co-signing the application for a lease by Entertainment Headquarters I wanted to influence the decision on the application yet council did not approve or grant the application, which I had co-signed,” he said.
