About a year ago the mayor recommended the ouster of Mr
Dube but the recommendation did not secure the support of other councillors.
A suspension letter seen by Chronicle dated April 28, 2021
and signed by Cllr Dlamini, and copied to Local Government and Public Works
Minister July Moyo, Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs and Devolution
Minister Richard Moyo and council security stated that the suspension is with
immediate effect and without pay or benefits.
However, Mr Dube was in his office the whole day and
attended a General-Purpose Committee meeting with other councillors in the
boardroom. Cllr Dlamini did not attend the meeting.
The suspension letter reads in part: “It appears to me
there are acts of misconduct or omission inconsistent with the fulfilment of
the express or implied conditions of your contract or duties that needs to be
investigated. It is prudent that you are suspended from duty and office of Town
Clerk in order to pave way for investigations which when concluded will guide
council on the course of action to take.
“Accordingly, by copy of this letter I suspend you from
office in terms of Section 139(3) (a) of the Urban Council Act Chapter 29:15 with
immediate effect and the suspension is without salary or benefit as
encapsulated in Section 139(5)(b) of the said Act. For the avoidance of doubt,
you are required to surrender immediately the council vehicle, laptop and
cellphone allocated to you to the office of the Mayor,” reads part of the
letter.
It further stated that Mr Dube will continue residing at a
council house but will not be allowed to report for duty, enter any council
premises or purport to act on behalf of council to clients or employees during
the suspension.
Interference or violation of any of the stipulated
condition will result in further charges, said Cllr Dlamini in the letter.
Contacted for comment, Cllr Dlamini confirmed drafting the
letter but could not be drawn into giving details on the allegations. The
matter has not been discussed at full council.
“I can confirm that the TC has been suspended with
immediate effect pending investigation by both Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Special
Unit and council on allegations levelled against him ranging from corruption to
abuse of office, gross incompetence and leading to financial loss by the
institution. He is not guilty until proven by the investigation and any other
competent court and the charge sheet will follow by Monday and we expect
cooperation from him,” said Cllr Dlamini.
He said what necessitated the suspension is the fact that
ethically whenever an investigation is instituted against an officer or any
other person, he or she has to vacate office to pave way for investigations
without prejudice, interference or intimidation whatsoever.
“I can’t give further detail on the allegations since it’s
under investigations and don’t want to pre-empt the outcome of the
investigations.
The public is advised to exercise restraint during this
time and council will continue providing services as normal,” he said.
The Mayor said Chamber Secretary Ms Kholwani Mangena will
be acting Town Clerk until the matter is finalised.
However, Mr Dube said he had not been served with the
letter of suspension and said he will continue executing his duties.
“As far as I am concerned, I haven’t been served and I
didn’t receive any letter from him hence as you can see, I am in office. I am
just coming from a GPC meeting with other councillors and will continue doing
my work as normal.
“I am preparing to go for an awards ceremony in Harare
which he is also attending and if I am suspended, where would he send his
papers for signing,” said Mr Dube.
The two are supposed to be in Harare today to attend the
local authorities’ leadership appreciation awards ceremony where Mr Dube has
been nominated for two awards in the well managed city category.
Mr Dube joined Victoria Falls City on December 1, 2016
replacing Mr Christopher Dube who became Bulawayo Town Clerk.
The council renewed his contract in October last year when
Cllr Dlamini said all due processes had been followed and the local authority
was satisfied with his work. Chronicle
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