Govt blocks Binga RDC chair from resuming duties

THE Local Government ministry has reportedly blocked Binga Rural District Council (RDC) chairperson Wilson Siampolomba from resuming duty despite a High Court directive ordering his reinstatement.

Siampolomba was suspended over allegations of gross misconduct, but the High Court in April nullified his referral to a tribunal on the grounds that the hearing should have been done within 45 days.

He said following the High Court ruling, the Local Government ministry was supposed to write him to resume duty, but that had not happened, making it difficult for him to go back to work.

Siampolomba's lawyer, Harare mayor Jacob Mafume said anyone who blocked a court order was in contempt of court.

"There is a court order which says Siampolomba should be at work. Anyone who blocks the court order is in contempt of court. The court order was given to the council and the ministry," Mafume said.

"The ministry is trying to block him from being reinstated. The ministry is supposed to have written to reinstate him since April when suspension was nullified by the High Court."

Mafume said he had written two letters to the ministry, but they had not yet been responded to.

Local Government minister July Moyo was not picking calls yesterday.

Siampolomba was suspended over allegations of double-dipping, unprocedural use of the council logo, use of council guest house without paying while conducting personal business and unilaterally stopping a scheduled council committee meeting.

Recently, Moyo reversed the suspension of four Umguza RDC councillors after they took him to court.