News / National
Town Council managers stay away from work
26 Jul 2016 at 08:41hrs | Views
Three senior Zvishavane Town Council managers have been accused of spending most of their time on trips, sick leave or other missions despite that it is now seven months into the year and the 2016 annual budget is not yet approved.
It is understood that the managers' salaries are not yet reduced as per instruction given by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere.
Council workers who spoke to The Mirror accused Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Gorge Jongoni of spending most of their time away from work.
It is alleged that Jongoni who is the finance director has not been reporting for duty between July 7, 2016 and July 15 while the acting Town Secretary Ngwenya has been in and out of the office attending different workshops at the expense of the local authority.
An inside source said Ngwenya attended a workshop in Bulawayo last week and is expected to attend another workshop in Victoria Falls this week from Wednesday to Friday.
Zvishavane Town Council Chairman Essac Dube confirmed the issue to The Mirror and said he was going to serve letters on senior officers who have not been reporting for duty to give their reasons.
"Yes it is true. Our senior officers Ngwenya, Jongoni and Mugandani are not coming and there is no one in those offices. I am heading to council today (Friday July 15) to serve letters to them, we think this is serious neglect of duty.
"I only received a verbal notice from Jongono who said he was away because he was sick and nothing else," said Dube.
This matter is very serious more so if we consider that we are seven months into the year and the budget is not yet approved, said.
"l am concerned that we are seven months into the year and working with an unapproved budget. The senior managers have not yet reduced their salaries as per Government instruction.
"I am forced to think that this move is just to sabotage council move to carry out investigations on corruption allegations against some of the officials," said Dube.
Zvishavane Urban Residents and Rate payers Association (ZURRA) chairperson Brian Magwizi who was also contacted for a comment said that he needed time to investigate the issue.
"I need time to investigated the matter and will get back to you," said Magwizi.
It is understood that the managers' salaries are not yet reduced as per instruction given by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Saviour Kasukuwere.
Council workers who spoke to The Mirror accused Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Gorge Jongoni of spending most of their time away from work.
It is alleged that Jongoni who is the finance director has not been reporting for duty between July 7, 2016 and July 15 while the acting Town Secretary Ngwenya has been in and out of the office attending different workshops at the expense of the local authority.
An inside source said Ngwenya attended a workshop in Bulawayo last week and is expected to attend another workshop in Victoria Falls this week from Wednesday to Friday.
Zvishavane Town Council Chairman Essac Dube confirmed the issue to The Mirror and said he was going to serve letters on senior officers who have not been reporting for duty to give their reasons.
"Yes it is true. Our senior officers Ngwenya, Jongoni and Mugandani are not coming and there is no one in those offices. I am heading to council today (Friday July 15) to serve letters to them, we think this is serious neglect of duty.
"I only received a verbal notice from Jongono who said he was away because he was sick and nothing else," said Dube.
This matter is very serious more so if we consider that we are seven months into the year and the budget is not yet approved, said.
"l am concerned that we are seven months into the year and working with an unapproved budget. The senior managers have not yet reduced their salaries as per Government instruction.
"I am forced to think that this move is just to sabotage council move to carry out investigations on corruption allegations against some of the officials," said Dube.
Zvishavane Urban Residents and Rate payers Association (ZURRA) chairperson Brian Magwizi who was also contacted for a comment said that he needed time to investigate the issue.
"I need time to investigated the matter and will get back to you," said Magwizi.
Source - Masvingo Mirror
