Gokwe council, Local Govt Board on collision cours...

Gokwe council, Local Govt Board on collision course

Zim Now Writer

Gokwe Town Council is set to clash with the Local Government Board (LGB) over, the former’s refusal to reinstate its former Finance Director who was fired two year ago.

The LGB directed the local authority to reinstate Joconia Nyoni who was fired over allegations of criminal abuse of office.

Nyoni was accused of fleecing the local authority of more than US$200 000 through flouting of procurement and tender procedures allegedly in collusion with then Town Secretary Melania Mandeya, who has since been relieved of her duties.

He, among a raft of charges, in connivance with Mandeya, is said to have directly procured a 10KVA/10KWA solar power system from Nerenchia Power Rite Company on a fix and supply basis for the local authority.

In the process, council was allegedly quoted US$14 792.50 by the said company but Nyoni went on to pay $325 435, using an unofficial foreign currency exchange rate, thereby prejudicing council of large sums of money.

Some solar panels reportedly went missing soon after purchase.

The local authority subsequently wrote to the LGB recommending that Nyoni be relieved of his duties in February 2020.

However, the LGB exonerated Nyoni and ordered the council to reinstate him with benefits.

“The board, through a resolution, turned down the councillors’ application for Mr Joconia Nyoni’s dismissal and decided that council reinstate him with full benefits,” read part of the letter from the LGB, which also argued that Nyoni was not in a position to make his own decisions.

However, Gokwe Town Council chairperson, Councillor Never Gwanzura said councillors and residents will never allow him back at Gokwe Town Council.

“He fleeced council and residents of their hard-earned money converting it to his personal use. There was no development here when we came into office, there were only two vehicles for himself and for Mandeya. Council owed employees about 18 months’ salary arrears. That is how bad things were when we came in,” he said.

He added that they had made significant strides during his absence, including purchasing road making equipment, service vehicles.

Gwanzura said their audit is up to date, adding that Nyoni has nothing to offer council and that as council, they cannot accept him back after two years.

Council said reinstating him was unacceptable although they were prepared to give him his dues.