By Bayethe Mhlanga
Bulawayo: Acting Bulawayo Mayor, Tinashe Kambarami has unceremoniously suspended the town clerk, Christopher Dube, pending disciplinary investigation.
Bulawayo Mayor Solomon Mguni is away on study leave.
The suspension comes amid reports that the MDC Alliance led council had called for a special meeting set for Friday as part of a plot to suspend the town Clerk whom they accuse of misconduct.
In a letter dated July 11, from the office of the Mayor to addressed to the Town Clerk’s office, four issues are raised including the water cruises which has hit the city.
“I write to inform you that you are hereby suspended from your duties a as the Bulawayo City Council Town Clerk with immediate effect. This suspension is made in terms of Urban Council Act Section 149 (3) that’s relates to conditions of employment of a Town Clerk. This suspension is without benefits and you are hereby ordered to surrender all council property in your possession,” read part of the letter.
Allegations raised against Dube include water crisis, misappropriation of ward retention fund as stipulated in the ward retention fund, abuse of office and failure to implement council resolutions.
“The City has experienced the worst water delivery ever due to your supervision. As stated in section 136 (2)(h) that a Town Clerk shall be responsible for the effectiveness and efficiency of the organization of the council and the coordination and where necessary the integration of its activities and for the purpose may after consultation with the head of department concerned, inspect, inquire into , and investigate the working and administration of any department or section thereof, either by himself or through any person authorized by him.
“Your failure to effectively manage repairs and maintenance works has exposed the city to water borne diseases like cholera and typhoid,” read part of the letter.
While on suspension, Dube won’t be allowed to enter any department, section unit, office or facility. He is further threatened with additional disciplinary actions if he fails to comply.
The suspension comes in when the city of Bulawayo is going its worst water delivery crisis. The city has gone for two weeks without water with some parts of the western suburbs receiving water on Thursday only.
Since the councilors’ election into office, The Bulawayo city council has been on loggerheads with some against the appointment of Kambarami of shona origin as a Mayor in a traditionally Ndebele dominated council.
The dismissal of Dube by Kambarami might fuel a tribal war within the council which is already facing problems.
