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Innocent Ruwende Senior Reporter
Harare City Council has rebuffed compensation demands made by three councillors who were recently cleared of flouting tender procedures in awarding a $13,8 million sewer deal to a local company. Councillors Urayayi Mangwiro, Wilton Janjazi and Paula Macharangwanda were last year suspended over their alleged involvement in the opaque deal and were recently cleared by a tribunal set up by Government.

The councillors were demanding up to $7 000 each from council.
They argue they incurred legal costs over the matter.

The then Minister of Local Government Public Works and National Housing Saviour Kasukuwere suspended the trio on allegations of misconduct and appointed a three-member committee to investigate the matter.

At a full council meeting recently, the three argued that council should reimburse them since they were acquitted.
Ward 9 Clr Stewart Mutizwa said the city could not accede to such demands.

“I think this matter is already sensitive but it is a claim we cannot accede to. Let it come on humanitarian grounds if council sees it fit to reimburse but not on a claim,” he said.

Ward 14 councillor Alderman Samuel Chinyowa said the trio should seek recourse from the courts.
“We can not be seen to be paying such claims as council. If they are not satisfied they should approach the courts for redress,” he said.

Panganayi Charumbira, councillor for Ward 43, said the ministry should reimburse the councillors instead.
“They should claim that money from the ministry. We understand that they are part of us but we cannot make a wrong decision because of that,” he said.

Ward 8 councillor Christopher Mbanga felt council should cushion the councillors.
“We know the environment which we have been operating in. The injustices which some of us have been exposed to. If there is a time which we need to unite it is in this case. The mere fact that they have been given their allowances means they have no case to answer,” he said.

Acting Mayor Herbert Gomba said, “They can appeal on that judgment especially on the part where it was said there shall be no order regarding costs. It is the part which has seen us in this position.”

Ward 28 councillor Wellington Chikombo said the city was not being heartless but was guided by several principles that include legal variables.

“My brother Clr Mbanga was speaking like a catholic priest to say you can not let others suffer in the society. Our hands are tied as far as this matter is concerned. It was hard for us as a committee to come up with this conclusion but we were guided by the principles of legality.”

Following a lengthy discussion, council resolved not to refund the trio.