Council overtime bill hits $300 000

Cash-strapped Bulawayo City Council overtime allowances for workers reached $298 055 mark in July.

The council's acting director of housing and community services Dictor Khumalo said overtime was normally incurred by security department, refuse removal and municipality run clinics.

According to the latest council agenda report, councillor Nephat Sibanda raised concern on the issue.

"Discussion ensued and councillor N. Sibanda was concerned about overtime saying that departments were not doing enough to reduce it.

"He said that council could encourage employees to take off days instead of cash for overtime worked".

"He further said that council could reduce overtime worked by security personnel guarding council schools by surrendering this activity to the community school development associations, as was the case in Government schools."