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Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
GOVERNMENT says it will comply with the High Court ruling to reinstate Gweru town clerk Mr Daniel Matawu after he successfully challenged his unlawful dismissal by fugitive former Minister Saviour Kasukuwere.

In an interview, Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo said the ministry will comply with the High Court ruling, but will wait for Gweru City Council to submit its recommendations on the matter.

Minister Moyo said Gweru City Council had the prerogative to deal with the matter decisively since they are Mr Matawu’s employers.

“We are aware of the judgment and the ministry will act in compliance with the ruling.

“However, Gweru City Council will have to deliberate on the matter first because they are the employers and they will make recommendations,” he said.

Last week, Bulawayo High Court nullified Mr Matawu’s suspension and subsequent dismissal.

Bulawayo High Court Judge, Justice Nicholas Mathonsi ruled that Mr Matawu be reinstated as Gweru town clerk.

The High Court also ruled that the extension of the tenure of the caretaker council Gweru Commission was illegal in that former Minister Kasukuwere had no prerogative to extend its tenure beyond 90 days as stipulated by the Councils Act.

The court also ruled that former Minister Kasukuwere erred in appointing the caretaker commission in retrospect.

Kasukuwere extended the tenure of the Gweru Commission in March 2016 after its term expired in January the same year.

The commission, however, continued performing its duties and went on to suspend Mr Matawu pending hearing.

The commission later found Mr Matawu guilty and dismissed him from work in November 2016 after he was found guilty of 15 counts of gross incompetence, inefficiency in the performance of his work, substantial neglect of duty, conduct which is inconsistent with the fulfilment of his job by a tribunal set by the Gweru Commission.

Mr Matawu was facing 29 counts, but was exonerated of 14 others by the Board of Enquiry set by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing to investigate the matter and deliberate on his fate before making recommendations to the commission.