Kasukuwere yet to reinstate Bulawayo Deputy Mayor

THE Government has not yet reinstated Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Gift Banda as directed by the High Court as it is still looking into the matter.

The High Court recently ordered the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere to reinstate Clr Banda saying the decision to fire him was unreasonable.

The deputy mayor took advantage of the ruling and resumed his duties last week.

He chaired a full council meeting and said he was already ecstatic to be back at work and was ready to serve the people who voted him following his sacking in February this year from council by Kasukuwere after he appeared before an independent tribunal for alleged gross misconduct and mismanagement.

In a brief interview yesterday, Kasukuwere said the ministry has not yet made a decision on Clr Banda's reinstatement. "No he has not been reinstated yet. We are looking into the matter," said Kasukuwere.

Last month, High Court judge Justice Martin Makonese ruled that the decision of a tribunal that recommended Clr Banda's firing was not grounded on any facts on the record of proceedings and the minister relied on misrepresentations to fire the Deputy Mayor.

He ordered the deputy mayor's reinstatement with full benefits.

Justice Makonese said the allegations against Clr Banda were based on personal conflicts with certain sections of society.

"There appears to have been an element of mala fides on those that misrepresented the facts to the minister. The tribunal could not find any evidence to come to the conclusion that the applicant was guilty of gross misconduct," he said.

"Accordingly, I am satisfied that the applicant is entitled to the relief sought. It is therefore ordered that he be and is hereby reinstated as councillor for Ward 5 in Bulawayo and deputy mayor of Bulawayo city with no loss of allowances and benefits."