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Lovemore Kadzura Rusape Correspondent
RUSAPE Town Council has told its former secretary Mr Albert Njobo he is not welcome.

This was after Mr Njobo presented himself to council last week demanding a fresh hearing.

Mr Njobo, who was elegantly dressed with a file in hand, spent the whole of Thursday and part of Friday morning at the town secretary’s office seeking an audience with his erstwhile employers.

This is the second time that Mr Njobo has visited the offices.

He did the same in April.

Mr Njobo was dismissed in 2009 for gross incompetence and theft.

He was convicted of stealing from the council and was sentenced to a prison term, which was commuted to community service.

The High Court is still to determine Mr Njobo’s appeal against both conviction and sentence.

The Labour Court recently ruled that Rusape Town Council erred in dismissing Mr Njobo.

The Labour Court ordered another hearing.

Rusape Town Council applied for leave to appeal at the Supreme Court.

The Labour Court struck the matter off the roll ruling that council must first comply with its verdict.

Mr Njobo said his presence at council was in fulfilment of the court order.

“I am here for a another hearing. Council and I must abide by the court order.

“I am not here to take up my job. The re-hearing can only happen if I am at work. By default I am the town secretary here.

“Council’s appeal was struck of the roll at the Labour Court. They were ordered to do a re-hearing on July 5. Yes, I am aware that my issue must be dealt with by the council chairman and his councillors, but they should be notified by due process,” said Mr Njobo.

On his conviction, Mr Njobo said he appealed at the High Court.

“I appealed at the High Court and we are awaiting the ruling. I am just waiting for my employer to state the way forward. I respect my employer. This issue must be resolved amicably. My legal team has been inviting them to a roundtable dialogue but they have not been forthcoming.

“I am comfortable with anything, whether they want me back or they pay me my salaries for the past seven years. They are free to terminate the contractual relationship between us on the basis that the relationship has gone sour,” he said.

Mr Njobo only left council offices after receiving a strongly worded letter from the council chairman, Alderman Amon Chawasarira.

“We make reference to several occasions in which you have reported to work at Rusape Town Council without a court order or lawful basis to this effect. You are no doubt aware that you recently filed an unfair labour practice case against Rusape Town Council in which you are claiming damages which was heard before a labour officer, and the position taken by the town council is that you have no claim against it.

“You are no doubt aware that the labour officer has not made a ruling on the preliminary issues that were raised in the proceedings, which he reserved for a ruling and that the hearing is underway. You will also recall that at the hearing, you asked whether the town council intended to continue with its disciplinary proceedings against you and the town council’s position was that it indeed was proceeding to do so.

“You are also aware that your relationship with the town council has deteriorated to a point where an amicable working relationship would not be tenable. As you are well aware you were convicted of theft from council coffers and sentenced to a term of imprisonment without an option of a fine.

“It is totally unacceptable to council and to the public that you be allowed anywhere near council resources. You do not need to be reminded of this.”