Bindura Town Clerk Survives The Chop

By Bindura Bureau

Bindura Municipality Town Clerk Kelton Chinowaita who has been facing demotion to a lower position on allegations of incompetence survived humiliation after Bindura District Development Coordinator (DDC) Richard Chipfuwa blocked the move.

This follows an urgent Special Full Council meeting convened by the City Fathers led by Deputy Mayor, Councillor Tongai Jack to remove Chinowaita from his current position, Thursday.

Also targeted was the acting Chamber Secretary, Jowanisi Masawi who was lucky to remain in office.

The pair was being fingered for gross incompetence that was alleged to be slowing down developments at Town house as well as other projects across Bindura.

Town councillors were planning to replace Chinowaita with Town Engineer Talent Devere while Masawi was to be replaced by Dr Joshua Mauchi, the head of the Business Development department at the municipality.

Insiders who attended the meeting told Nhau/Indaba that councillors fingered Chinowaita and Masawi for being anti-developmental.

The insiders added that DDC Chipfuwa blocked the councillors’ move after he was fooled to believe that Mauchi, Chanaiwa and Devere are anti-ZANU –PF and government.

“The reverse is the truth,” said a source concerning the background of Chipfuwa’s decision.

Another source said that the DDC blocked the promotion of Mauchi, Chanaiwa and Devere because they were still juniors and could not assume top leadership positions.

“The two were being targeted for their anti-developmental stance and incompetence that has raised the ire of residents who need efficient service delivery. They were slowing down council business prospects and services which infuriated stakeholders.”

“Mauchi, Chanaiwa and Devere were denied their chance in office for being too junior,” the source said.

Chinowaita has been the acting town clerk for nearly two years now, following the axing of former substantive town clerk Shangwa Mavesera in October 2020.

Masawi has been the Chamber Secretary since last year when the then Chamber Secretary, a Mr. Machingauta was fired for fraud.

Meanwhile, Mayor Brian Kembo has also been reprimanded by his fellow councillors against going for unsanctioned trips at the expense of the municipality.

Kembo is alleged of being selfish at the expense of the council.

He allegedly left to Beitbridge on council business despite a plea by fellow councillors for him to abandon the trip on the basis that the municipality coffers are dry.

However, Kembo is alleged to have used funds set aside to foot council salaries.

“He took everything that was in the council coffers, including money to buy fuel to power the Town House generator,” one of the council employees said in anonymity.

Kembo could not be reached for comment at the time of publication. Nhau/Indaba