Tinaani Nyabereka
Gweru-Gweru Mayor Hamutendi Kombayi on February 20, 2023 appointed the council’s Finance Director Livingston Churu as the new Acting Town Clerk while Assistant Director (City Planning) Tapiwa Marerwa has been elevated to the Chamber Secretary post.
The two will hold the positions until council meets on Wednesday (February 22) for a Special Council meeting.
In a letter dated February 20, referenced ‘Directive on reporting for work while on bail’ signed by Mayor Kombayi, under fire former Acting Town Clerk Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe was requested to recuse himself from his duties until he is cleared by the courts.
Chikwekwe is in court for alleged criminal abuse of office.
“As per circular No CX/154 from the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works you are kindly requested to recuse yourself from your duties until you are cleared by the Courts.
“May you kindly handover to Mr Churu and Mr Marerwa who shall be acting in the capacity as Town Clerk and Chamber Secretary respectively” read the first letter.
In a second letter, Mayor Kombayi notified council of the immediate appointment of Mr Churu and Mr Marerwa to the positions of Acting Town Clerk and Chamber Secretary respectively.
“Note that Mr Livingstone Churu the Director of Finance shall be acting as Town Clerk and Mr Tapiwa Marerwa as Acting Chamber Secretary until we convene a Special Council meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023,” read the other letter.
The new appointments come after the arrest of Chikwekwe last week over charges of criminal abuse of duty as defined in Section 174(1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23) or in the alternative c/s Section 94 (3) of the Public Procurement and Disposal (Regulations) Statutory Instrument (SI) 5 of 2018.
