Manyenyenyi queries LGB composition Clr Manyenyeni
Clr Manyenyeni

Clr Manyenyeni

Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Harare Mayor Cllr Bernard Manyenyeni is questioning the composition of the Local Government Board (LGB) following an impasse with the committee over the appointment of the city’s new town clerk. Cllr Manyenyeni has written to the board, seeking to inquire its composition and the dates when it was appointed, among other issues, with a view that it is not properly constituted.

The two parties have clashed over the board’s intention to interview candidates who were not shortlisted for the post after Harare trimmed down successful applicants to nine, of whom three were shortlisted for the position of Harare City Council town clerk.

MDC-T legislator Dr Tapuwa Mashakada, who is also economic advisor to MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai, scored 1 534 points in interviews. Also shortlisted for the job is council’s human capital director Dr Cainos Chingombe and current Gweru town clerk Mrs Elizabeth Gwatipedza, who scored 1 394 points and 1 228 points, respectively.

According to Section 135 of the Urban Councils Act 135, the Local Government Board shall interview every person whose name has been submitted to it by a council and may approve a person recommended by the council concerned or refuse to approve any person recommended by the council concerned.

“(2) Where the Local Government Board refuses to approve a person recommended by a council, it shall give its reasons there for in writing to such council,”

The board is required to notify the council of its refusal to approve a person for appointment. If the city fails to recommend any other person who meets the approval of the board, it shall submit a report to the minister, setting out the full details of the matter for his consideration.

Cllr Manyenyeni, who confirmed penning the letter, said he was losing confidence in the LGB operations and questioned if the board was even properly constituted.

“It has also become necessary to unpack the composition of the LGB itself. There is a real possibility that LGB may not be compliant with its own provisions,” he said.

The city’s attempts to appoint a substantive town clerk continue to face serious hurdles, in 2016, Harare appointed former banker Mr James Mushore town clerk before he was send on forced leave without benefits, a month after his controversial appointment. The former NMB chief executive was appointed without following laid down procedures. Government rescinded the appointment saying council violated the Urban Councils Act.

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