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Innocent Ruwende Municipal Reporter
Government is not against the appointment of former NMB chief executive Mr James Mushore as Harare’s town clerk, but he must go through the necessary vetting processes in compliance with the Urban Councils Act, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere has said.

In an interview after a tour of Caledonia last Friday, Minister Kasukuwere commended the city fathers for sending Mr Mushore on leave while the courts are dealing with his matter.

“We are happy that the city fathers have made the correct decision. We rescinded their decision in the first instance which related to the illegal hiring of the town clerk. The status quo remains. Mushore has no business at Town House.

“We are not against him but we must follow the law. I am surprised that such an educated man behaves in a manner that does not qualify to be called civilised. You cannot destabilise and disturb the peaceful running of business. If he succeeds at the Local Government Board certainly he would be town clerk with everyone’s support,” he said.

Minister Kasukuwere said the town clerk position required Government support.

“Let us respect our laws. You cannot wake up in the morning saying this law does not exist because of your own interpretation. There are legal processes that must be followed for any Act of Parliament to be struck off. It cannot be done by word of mouth by an individual. There is a legal process. The Constitutional Court has to make a declaration.

“I am sure all the people making noise if they are learned people they should know how to follow the laws of the land.

He said he had not commented on the issue out of respect of the judiciary.

Minister Kasukuwere said he was happy council finally resolved not to dramatise and politicise the issue.

He said the decision to send Mr Mushore on forced leave would allow the smooth flow of business at Town House.

“We want to see workers being paid. The workers have not received their salaries for the past six months, bickering has become the order of the day at Town House. It cannot be accepted. And my dear brother James (Mr Mushore) must just accept to be subjected to all the processes that any other town clerk goes through,” he said.

Meanwhile, the MDC-T has ordered its councillors to reverse the decision to send Mr Mushore on forced leave.

The councillors face unspecified action from the opposition party if they resist.

They were made to sign affidavits at Harvest House on Thursday last week after sending Mr Mushore 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.

Some residents’ associations then approached the High Court arguing that Minister Kasukuwere did not have the power to rescind the decision in terms of the Constitution.

The associations claimed the minister was only supposed to be notified of the appointment.