CASH-strapped Vic Falls Municipality buys Mercedes Benz

CASH-strapped Victoria Falls Municipality, which is engaged in a salary dispute with its employees, has purchased an "S" class Mercedes Benz worth about $12 000 and allegedly gave the supplier of the vehicle a commercial stand worth about $3 000.

The development has drawn the ire of the workers who feel that management's priorities are irresponsible as some are still to receive their salaries and back pay as clearly indicated in the certificate of settlement agreement under case number ML/14/06/12.

The employees who spoke on condition of anonymity said they felt that the money used to purchase the vehicle could have been channelled towards clearing the salary arrears.

"This $12 000 could have covered a huge gap in terms of paying salaries and back pay, but somebody decided that the vehicle for the council fleet was more important than the welfare of the employees," said one of the workers.

Responding to written questions, the acting town clerk Mr Thabani Mhlanga confirmed that council had bought the vehicle adding that it would be part of the council's fleet.

"It is indeed true that council purchased an 'S' class Mercedes Benz at a cost of $11 922 (all expenses included). The vehicle in question is for council and will be part of council's fleet. It is true that there is a Mr Admire Dube who sold the vehicle to council after having imported it from the United Kingdom. It is, however, untrue that council is giving a stand to the supplier of the vehicle," reads part of the response from Mr Mhlanga.

On the salaries and back pay issue, Mr Mhlanga said council had made arrangements to clear arrears by yesterday.

"Of the 289 council employees, 244 have been paid and only 45 are yet to be paid. Council has been able to partly fulfil the terms of the agreement with workers and both parties are engaged in continuous negotiations on the matter. The other remaining months for all 289 workers is hoped to be settled in full by today (6th of August)," he said.

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