News / Local
Gweru suspends workers for booing managers
2 hrs ago | Views
Four employees of the Gweru City Council were summoned to a disciplinary hearing on Friday after being accused of booing management and making false statements during the burial of two colleagues who tragically died while working in a sewage manhole.
The deceased, Richard Longwe and Mary Svinurai, lost their lives on November 6 after inhaling suspected toxic gases while performing their duties in the manhole. The incident sparked widespread grief and concern among council employees and the local community.
However, tensions flared during the burial service when council management was reportedly booed by four employees—Silas Mutendeudzwa, Olivia Masunda, Ngazimbi, and Yvonne. The council alleged that these employees also made malicious remarks and spread false statements on social media regarding the incident.
Following the incident, the four employees were placed on suspension on November 13. They were informed of the disciplinary hearing by the acting chamber secretary, Tapiwa Marerwa, in a letter that stated the hearing would take place on November 29 at the municipal offices.
"You are hereby advised that the disciplinary hearing between the City of Gweru and yourself will be held on Friday 29 November in the committee room, municipal offices, Civic Centre at 1430 hours in the afternoon," the letter read. "You are also further advised that the hearing will proceed even if you fail to attend."
Sources close to the matter revealed that the suspended employees have been barred from reporting for duty or entering council premises during the period of suspension. They have also been prohibited from acting on behalf of the local authority.
The disciplinary action comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of Longwe and Svinurai, which have raised concerns over the safety conditions and working environment within the council. Employees have been left in shock and disbelief following the deaths of their colleagues, with many expressing frustration over the lack of safety protocols in place at the time of the incident.
The disciplinary hearing will determine whether the four employees' actions constitute a violation of council regulations and their employment terms. The case has added to the tension within the local authority, as employees grapple with both the loss of their colleagues and the subsequent internal controversy.
The deceased, Richard Longwe and Mary Svinurai, lost their lives on November 6 after inhaling suspected toxic gases while performing their duties in the manhole. The incident sparked widespread grief and concern among council employees and the local community.
However, tensions flared during the burial service when council management was reportedly booed by four employees—Silas Mutendeudzwa, Olivia Masunda, Ngazimbi, and Yvonne. The council alleged that these employees also made malicious remarks and spread false statements on social media regarding the incident.
Following the incident, the four employees were placed on suspension on November 13. They were informed of the disciplinary hearing by the acting chamber secretary, Tapiwa Marerwa, in a letter that stated the hearing would take place on November 29 at the municipal offices.
"You are hereby advised that the disciplinary hearing between the City of Gweru and yourself will be held on Friday 29 November in the committee room, municipal offices, Civic Centre at 1430 hours in the afternoon," the letter read. "You are also further advised that the hearing will proceed even if you fail to attend."
Sources close to the matter revealed that the suspended employees have been barred from reporting for duty or entering council premises during the period of suspension. They have also been prohibited from acting on behalf of the local authority.
The disciplinary action comes in the wake of the tragic deaths of Longwe and Svinurai, which have raised concerns over the safety conditions and working environment within the council. Employees have been left in shock and disbelief following the deaths of their colleagues, with many expressing frustration over the lack of safety protocols in place at the time of the incident.
The disciplinary hearing will determine whether the four employees' actions constitute a violation of council regulations and their employment terms. The case has added to the tension within the local authority, as employees grapple with both the loss of their colleagues and the subsequent internal controversy.
Source - the standard
