News / Local
Ex-deputy mayor cries foul over exit package
28 Nov 2013 at 12:01hrs | Views
FORMER Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Mr Amen Mpofu yesterday cried foul in the exit package issue, where he was given a laptop while former Mayor Mr Thaba Moyo got a luxury Dodge Chrysler that cost the Bulawayo City Council $65 000.
The outspoken Mr Mpofu said the disparity in the gratuities package was unjustifiable.
The latest council resolution on the matter reads; "The Ministerial directive on exit packages for the former mayor and councillors should be complied with, i.e sell the car to the former mayor at book value- $7 000, all former councillors be given a once off monthly allowance, the former mayor and former deputy mayor to take their laptops."
According to an earlier resolution made on 26 June, Mr Mpofu was supposed to get the Mazda BT50 vehicle that he used during his tenure, as part of his exit package.
"I have heard that the issue was finalised. I strongly believe I was short changed. The council resolution said I should get the car I was using. I don't want to jump the gun but if it is true I will not get the car, then I would be the only official in Zimbabwe who used a car and failed to get it," said Mr Mpofu.
He said Ministers and even deputy Ministers got the vehicles they were using for a song and he felt he should also have benefited.
Mr Mpofu appeared to blame former Mayor, Mr Thaba Moyo, for the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Dr Ignatius Chombo's decision to override councillors' earlier resolution.
"I fail to understand what happened really. I went with Thaba and PZ (former ward 14 Councillor Phinias Z Ndlovu) to meet Minister Chombo at the Holiday Inn in Bulawayo. We discussed the issue of exit packages and he said we should come back with the town clerk to finalise the issue the next day," said the former Deputy Mayor.
Mr Mpofu said the next day Mr Moyo was delegated to represent other councillors.
"I am actually the one who informed him the minister was coming. Strangely, he never communicated the outcome of the meeting. I have not heard from him since that day. It is odd. How can you work with someone for 10 years and then have this sudden communication blackout," he said.
Contacted for comment, Mr Moyo said he did not know why his former deputy did not get the car.
"I really don't know. He can approach the minister," said Mr Moyo.
Mr Ndlovu said he was surprised Mr Mpofu did not get the Mazda BT50.
"The mayor deserves the Doge. However, I feel that Amen Mpofu also deserves the Mazda. These two worked for the city. They were the tools and mouthpieces of the city. I feel the issue should be revisited," said Mr Ndlovu.
A source from within council said Mr Mpofu could appeal to Dr Chombo.
"Council had made a resolution to give him that car. There is therefore room for him to appeal to Minister Chombo regarding the amended resolution," said the source.
Former Gweru Mayor Mr Tedious Chimombe was given a Toyota Prado and a residential stand in Athlone low density suburb as his exit package.
Mr Chimombe also received two months allowance for every year served. During his term in office, he also received a big residential stand in Mkoba Village 12.
The outspoken Mr Mpofu said the disparity in the gratuities package was unjustifiable.
The latest council resolution on the matter reads; "The Ministerial directive on exit packages for the former mayor and councillors should be complied with, i.e sell the car to the former mayor at book value- $7 000, all former councillors be given a once off monthly allowance, the former mayor and former deputy mayor to take their laptops."
According to an earlier resolution made on 26 June, Mr Mpofu was supposed to get the Mazda BT50 vehicle that he used during his tenure, as part of his exit package.
"I have heard that the issue was finalised. I strongly believe I was short changed. The council resolution said I should get the car I was using. I don't want to jump the gun but if it is true I will not get the car, then I would be the only official in Zimbabwe who used a car and failed to get it," said Mr Mpofu.
He said Ministers and even deputy Ministers got the vehicles they were using for a song and he felt he should also have benefited.
Mr Mpofu appeared to blame former Mayor, Mr Thaba Moyo, for the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Dr Ignatius Chombo's decision to override councillors' earlier resolution.
"I fail to understand what happened really. I went with Thaba and PZ (former ward 14 Councillor Phinias Z Ndlovu) to meet Minister Chombo at the Holiday Inn in Bulawayo. We discussed the issue of exit packages and he said we should come back with the town clerk to finalise the issue the next day," said the former Deputy Mayor.
Mr Mpofu said the next day Mr Moyo was delegated to represent other councillors.
Contacted for comment, Mr Moyo said he did not know why his former deputy did not get the car.
"I really don't know. He can approach the minister," said Mr Moyo.
Mr Ndlovu said he was surprised Mr Mpofu did not get the Mazda BT50.
"The mayor deserves the Doge. However, I feel that Amen Mpofu also deserves the Mazda. These two worked for the city. They were the tools and mouthpieces of the city. I feel the issue should be revisited," said Mr Ndlovu.
A source from within council said Mr Mpofu could appeal to Dr Chombo.
"Council had made a resolution to give him that car. There is therefore room for him to appeal to Minister Chombo regarding the amended resolution," said the source.
Former Gweru Mayor Mr Tedious Chimombe was given a Toyota Prado and a residential stand in Athlone low density suburb as his exit package.
Mr Chimombe also received two months allowance for every year served. During his term in office, he also received a big residential stand in Mkoba Village 12.
Source - Byo24News
