‘US$3m Demanding Harare Town Clerk Fired On 3Months’ Notice’-Supreme Court Ruling

SUSPENDED Harare Town Clerk, Tendai Mahachi has been fired under the Supreme Court ruling allowing employees to be dismissed without hefty redundancy packages.

Mahachi’s lawyers recently told the local authority that their client would not leave the job unless they gave him a $3 million exit package.

The list of demands submitted to council included $100,000 salary for every year he served, a new Jeep Cherokee Overland registered in his name at the local authority’s expense and a council house located in a top Harare neighbourhood.

Outraged residents said Mahachi, long protected by the ruling Zanu PF party, should be fired under the infamous Supreme Court ruling allowing workers to be dismissed  on three months’ notice and without the usual retrenchment packages.

“Mahachi a good candidate for the three months’ notice (dismissal),” said Harare Residents Trust director Precious Shumba.

“We think he has already paid himself enough through his mega salaries for the past eight years.

“Mahachi’s dismal record in managing the city affairs is there for all to see. Water delivery is at its lowest, refuse collection is inconsistent and at most non-existent, and city roads are riddled with potholes.

“What justification does he have in making such outrageous demands?!”

The local authority took the hint and fired Mahachi Tuesday under the July 17 Supreme Court ruling on common law contracts of employment.

However, council Chairperson of the human resources and general purposes committee Councillor Wellington Chikombo would neither deny nor confirm the development.

“Without prejudice, this matter is still sub judice to find love in media houses.

“Commenting would be tantamount to allowing the devil to run away with a Bible from the pulpit,” he said when approached by the State media.

Mahachi was, in July this year, sent on forced leave by mayor Bernard Manyenyeni, accused of blocking the city’s “succession plan” and sitting on council directives to rationalise hefty salaries for top executives.

Harare had also announced plans to dismiss 3,000 workers in line with the Supreme Court ruling.

The move was blocked by local government minister Saviour Kasukuwere. source-newzimbabwe. photo-Dismissed Harare Town Clerk, Tendai Mahachi