Chivavaya lands top Marondera post

FORMER Harare City housing director, Justin Chivavaya has taken over as Marondera municipality housing director, despite outrage from councillors.

Chivavaya, who has since begun work, takes over from Edmore Nhekairo, who joined Harare City Council as housing director.

The coming in of Chivavaya sparked outrage from councillors, who were against his appointment. NewsDay was reliably informed that some councillors are mulling a full council meeting to deliberate on how council employed him without their approval.

Efforts to get a comment from town clerk, Josiah Musuwo were fruitless yesterday, while mayor, Anthony Makwindi was reportedly out of office.

However, in a notice to residents, Marondera municipality confirmed the coming in of Chivavaya, saying he brings in vast knowledge in public management.

"The municipality of Marondera wishes to advise its stakeholders that the Local Government Board has appointed a new director of housing and community services following the resignation of Admore Nhekairo. The new director, Justin Chivavaya, assumed duty on March 1," the notice read.

Ward 3 councillor, Bornface Tagwirei confirmed the development.

"We received letters as councillors to the effect that Chivavaya was appointed as the new housing director by government. He is already in office," he said.

Last November, during a full council meeting, councillors ordered Musuwo to restart the interview process for the post, citing lack of transparency.

The councillors cited Chivavaya's poor track record during his stint with Harare City Council, among other reasons.

Musuwo, however, defended the process and said the appointment was done procedurally and was approved by the Local Government ministry.

According to council, 130 people had applied for the job before they were whittled down to 30.

Four finalists were then referred to the ministry, resulting in Chivavaya bouncing back into local governance.