Nunurai Jena
Chinhoyi – Top management at the Chinhoyi municipality allegedly outfoxed unsuspecting councillors to secure unauthorised lucrative gratuities upon resignation, retirement, or death in office.
The matter came to light following the recent death of former chamber secretary, Abel Gotora, who retired last year.
While Gotora was entitled to terminal benefits of a staggering US$285,000, the figure reportedly surged to nearly US$500,000 after additional unauthorised perks were included.
These included three plots—residential, commercial, and industrial—and a negotiated gratuity calculated at 45 percent of his annual salary multiplied by his years of service.
Furthermore, Gotora’s family is demanding a new vehicle on top of a 3,000 square metre industrial stand which it recently received.
Investigations by NewsHub reveal that the Chinhoyi council management allegedly colluded with certain councillors to approve benefits outside official policy and conditions of service.
This could prompt an investigation by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), though the body has often been criticised for its ineffectiveness.
According to the minutes of the Works Council meeting held at the municipal chambers on 20 August 2020, attendees included senior council managers Maxwell Kaitano (then town clerk, now administrative judge), Simon Marara (now the acting town clerk), Zephaniah Chirarwe (finance director), Abel Gotora (chamber secretary) and William Mayabo (health director).
Also present were councillors Dyke Makumbe (then mayor), Garikai Dendera, Mavis Mada, and Richard Vitirinyu.
The payout structure awarded 45 percent of annual basic salary multiplied by years served for those with over 40 years of service, 40 percent for those with 25 to 30 years, and 35 percent for those with 20 to 25 years.
These terms deviate from official policy and have reportedly caused discontent among councillors.
Another contentious issue is a clause in the agreement regarding vehicle compensation.
“If the person was not given a car she/he must be given full compensation equivalent to the purchase of the vehicle” the minutes revealed.
Critics argue this amounts to double-dipping, as some managers had already been reimbursed for using personal vehicles for council business.
When questioned about the unauthorised gratuities, former mayor Dyke Makumbe claimed the arrangement was a response to hyperinflation.
“The situation was really bad economically and it was meant to cushion them but now the new councilors can revisit the issue since there is a bit of stability,” said Makumbi
He said the economic situation was dire at the time, and the benefits were meant to cushion senior staff.
However, he acknowledged that the current council could revisit the issue, given the improved stability.
When questioned over whether councillors had approved unauthorised benefits in exchange for subsequently being granted residential stands, Makumbe dismissed the allegations as “unfounded claims.”
“Those allegations are malicious and should be discarded with the contempt they deserve,” said Makumbi.
Other unauthorised benefits uncovered include four months’ occupancy of council housing, extendable by resolution, as well as the retention of council-issued laptops used for over two years and mobile phones used for over one year.
Additionally, the council covered a one-year DSTv subscription for departing managers.
The revelations have raised serious concerns over governance and fiscal responsibility within Chinhoyi municipality, with calls for accountability growing louder.