News / National
Bulawayo town clerk digs in over exit
2 hrs ago |
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Embattled Bulawayo Town Clerk Christopher Dube has ignited a political storm after refusing to step down and instead lobbying for a controversial contract extension that could keep him in office until the age of 70.
Dube, who has served as town clerk since 2016, recently wrote to the mayor and councillors urging them to reverse a February 2024 council resolution that set his retirement for November 2026, with a review clause at age 65.
In a confidential letter dated September 30, 2025, Dube argued that his continued employment should be aligned with Statutory Instrument 198 of 2024, a government policy that extended the retirement age for local authority chief executive officers from 65 to 70 years.
However, his attempt to prolong his stay has sparked strong criticism from residents, civic groups, and political commentators, who accuse him of clinging to power despite Bulawayo's deteriorating service delivery and infrastructure.
Assembly of Minorities president Mudenda Chilumbo described Dube's move as self-serving and symptomatic of a wider culture of impunity within public institutions.
"No one must be found to be above the law," Chilumbo said. "The biggest problem is not the town clerk; the biggest problems are their masters - obviously, his employers, up to the president of Zimbabwe."
He accused Dube of failing to take responsibility for his administration's shortcomings.
"He's not yet convinced about his mistakes and misappropriation of resources under his administration," Chilumbo said.
Chilumbo further claimed that Dube's defiance mirrors a broader disregard for constitutionalism at the national level.
"So, everybody who is in public office now is becoming defiant because the leader himself doesn't respect the Constitution by pushing his supporters to run behind the 2030 agenda, which is against the Constitution," he said.
Dube's future remains uncertain as pressure mounts on the Bulawayo City Council to reject his appeal and proceed with his planned retirement, amid growing public calls for leadership renewal and accountability in the city's top offices.
Dube, who has served as town clerk since 2016, recently wrote to the mayor and councillors urging them to reverse a February 2024 council resolution that set his retirement for November 2026, with a review clause at age 65.
In a confidential letter dated September 30, 2025, Dube argued that his continued employment should be aligned with Statutory Instrument 198 of 2024, a government policy that extended the retirement age for local authority chief executive officers from 65 to 70 years.
However, his attempt to prolong his stay has sparked strong criticism from residents, civic groups, and political commentators, who accuse him of clinging to power despite Bulawayo's deteriorating service delivery and infrastructure.
"No one must be found to be above the law," Chilumbo said. "The biggest problem is not the town clerk; the biggest problems are their masters - obviously, his employers, up to the president of Zimbabwe."
He accused Dube of failing to take responsibility for his administration's shortcomings.
"He's not yet convinced about his mistakes and misappropriation of resources under his administration," Chilumbo said.
Chilumbo further claimed that Dube's defiance mirrors a broader disregard for constitutionalism at the national level.
"So, everybody who is in public office now is becoming defiant because the leader himself doesn't respect the Constitution by pushing his supporters to run behind the 2030 agenda, which is against the Constitution," he said.
Dube's future remains uncertain as pressure mounts on the Bulawayo City Council to reject his appeal and proceed with his planned retirement, amid growing public calls for leadership renewal and accountability in the city's top offices.
Source - Southern Eye
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