The Sunday Mail
Debra Matabvu
Harare City Council will soon start hunting for a new town clerk as Government has resolved not to accept Mr James Mushore’s appointment to the post. Town House could meet as early as this week to discuss the matter. Harare mayor, Councillor Bernard Manyenyeni appointed Mr Mushore on March 24, 2016; and Government rejected the contract that same day, citing breach of procedure.
The High Court affirmed the latter decision after the former banker had challenged Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere legally.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail, Secretary for Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Engineer George Mlilo said authorities would not accept Mr Mushore.
“They did not follow procedure, and we have made it clear that we are not going to recognise their choice of town clerk. There is, therefore, need for them to sort out their mess, and this might include re-interviewing their candidates for the post. “The issue has definitely stalled progress in the city. Other cities such as Bulawayo advertised for a town clerk after them and have already secured suitable candidates and are already making progress because they followed procedure. We cannot continue to hold residents at ransom, stalling progress,” he said.
However, Cllr Manyenyeni said, “We have not yet reached that decision (on re-interviews), but we are meeting with the committee that appointed Mr Mushore to apply our minds to the matter.
“A number of legal issues that need to be deliberated on are at hand. We will largely be guided by legal points surrounding the matter and will deliberate on how to proceed considering the legal processes that have taken place. That will determine the decision to be taken.”
The town clerk’s post fell vacant in 2015 when Dr Tendai Mahachi was relieved of his duties on various charges, including failure to implement the city’s turnaround strategy.
Cllr Manyenyeni first sparked controversy when he advertised the post, advising applicants to send their letters to his personal email address.
Mr Mushore then emerged tops, staving off other candidates like acting town clerk Mrs Josephine Ncube, former Harare urban planning director Mr Psychology Chiwanga, human capital director Dr Cainos Chingombe, retired diplomat Mr Godfrey Pasipanodya, Dr Charles Makono, Engineer Jacob Mtisi and Mr Shangwa Mavesera.
He garnered 142 points ahead of his closest rivals, Eng Mtisi (98 points) and Mr Pasipanodya (81 points). Rescission of his appointment made him the capital city’s shortest-serving town clerk.
