By Beatific Gumbwanda
CHIREDZI – Chiredzi Town Council was thrown into chaos for the second consecutive full
council meeting as councillors nearly came to blows over the promotion of an employee
allegedly lacking the required qualifications, with one councillor having been forcibly removed
from chambers during the previous heated clash over the same issue.
The latest confrontation erupted after the General Purposes Committee tabled a recommendation
to promote Irvine Muteyaunga from Project Coordinator (Grade 11) to Assistant Director of
Operations (Grade 13), a position that allegedly demands a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil
Engineering.
Muteyaunga is alleged to be holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Agricultural Engineering and a
Diploma in Water Supply and Sanitation.
Councillors Charles Njopera (Zanu PF), Danford Chikanyau (CCC), Philemon Muchaendepi
(CCC) and Vimbai Ushe (Zanu PF) vehemently opposed the promotion, arguing that due
diligence had been bypassed and that Muteyaunga did not meet the qualification requirements
for the post.
Tempers flared as Njopera accused the Acting Town Secretary of acting outside his powers.
“We have totally violated our Human Resources Policy. The Acting Town Secretary does not
have the power to secretly promote someone without the recommendation of the Head of
Department,” said Njopera.
When Council Chairperson Jameson Charumbira attempted to silence Chikanyau, ruling that he
could not deliberate the matter since he sits on the General Purposes Committee, Muchaendepi
challenged the ruling.
“Where is that written, Chairman, that if one sits on a certain committee, he or she is not allowed
to deliberate the matter during a Full Council meeting?” queried Muchaendepi.
The confrontation marked the second time the same promotion issue has sparked mayhem in
council chambers. During the previous full council meeting, Chikanyau was forcibly removed by
security after tempers flared over the same matter, with the debate descending into chaos.
Ushe warned that the council was setting a dangerous precedent by bypassing established
procedures.
“For all the promotions we have had, a list of candidates is made available together with their
educational qualifications. Why is that process being bypassed here? According to the Job
Evaluation Report, that individual should be running the local authority’s Parks and Gardens, not
an engineering department,” she said.
Councillors also raised concerns about Muteyaunga’s competence, citing an incident where he
allegedly ordered wrong sized quarry stones during road construction, resulting in a project that
subsequently failed quality tests.
As the debate reached a stalemate, the chairperson exercised his casting vote to break the
deadlock, and the promotion was carried. Muchaendepi walked out of the meeting as the debate
continued.
The controversy is compounded by a recent capacity-building workshop by representatives of the
Ministry of Local Government, during which both Muteyaunga and another employee were
reportedly told they occupy posts not recognized in the local authority’s establishment.
Reacting to the developments, United Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association Chairman
Josphat Tizirai said promotions in local authorities were increasingly based on political
allegiance rather than merit.
“Most people are not promoted on merit but rather on who they pay their allegiance to. If you eat
and dine with your bosses, your promotion will always be there. Maybe they were satisfied with
what he is doing which prompted them to give him a position which he is not qualified to be
holding,” said Tizirai.
Chiredzi Residents and Ratepayers Association (CHIRRA) Chairperson Jonathan Muusha urged
the council to adhere to employment guidelines and the Urban Councils Act.
“We urge council to adhere to employment guidelines and policies, including the Urban Councils
Act, when promoting or upgrading technical persons,” said Muusha.
