News / National
Biti strips Gershon Pasi of all powers
27 Jan 2012 at 07:59hrs | Views
Zimra Commissioner-General Gershom Pasi has been reduced to a lame duck after the Finance ministry stripped him of all powers in a move likely to widen the rift between President Mugabe and Finance minister Tendai Biti.
Mugabe and Biti are deeply divided over Pasi's fate after his contract expired in October 2011.
Pasi should now vacate his office at the end of this month unless the board decides otherwise.
Pasi was among 3 people interviewed for the coveted post out of 53 applicants on December 14 2011 and the Independent claims he scored high.
However, alleged political machinations not to re-appoint Pasi are at play and there is talk of re-advertising the post and conducting fresh interviews.
The short-listing and interviews were conducted by CV People Human Resources Consultants together with 3 board committee members.
A letter written to Pasi by acting secretary for finance Pfungwa Kunaka, dated January 18 2012 reads: "Considering (the) status of your employment contract which has expired, it is inappropriate that in any of your correspondence on Zimra matters, you continue to sign off as the commissioner-general.
In any event, the above has legal implications. I, therefore, advise that for purposes of correspondence and business transactions, it is most appropriate that these be signed on behalf of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority by Zimra staff.
Please also observe that the above applies with respect to travel outside the country. The ministry is not in a position to overlook the status of the employment contract."
The letter was copied to Biti, secretary for finance Willard Manungo and Zimra board chairperson.
Mugabe and Biti are deeply divided over Pasi's fate after his contract expired in October 2011.
Pasi should now vacate his office at the end of this month unless the board decides otherwise.
Pasi was among 3 people interviewed for the coveted post out of 53 applicants on December 14 2011 and the Independent claims he scored high.
However, alleged political machinations not to re-appoint Pasi are at play and there is talk of re-advertising the post and conducting fresh interviews.
The short-listing and interviews were conducted by CV People Human Resources Consultants together with 3 board committee members.
A letter written to Pasi by acting secretary for finance Pfungwa Kunaka, dated January 18 2012 reads: "Considering (the) status of your employment contract which has expired, it is inappropriate that in any of your correspondence on Zimra matters, you continue to sign off as the commissioner-general.
In any event, the above has legal implications. I, therefore, advise that for purposes of correspondence and business transactions, it is most appropriate that these be signed on behalf of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority by Zimra staff.
Please also observe that the above applies with respect to travel outside the country. The ministry is not in a position to overlook the status of the employment contract."
The letter was copied to Biti, secretary for finance Willard Manungo and Zimra board chairperson.
Source - theindependent
