EDWIN MOYO
GWERU-Gweru City Coucil Mayor, Cllr Hamutendi Kombayi has appointed City Finance Director, Livingstone Churu as the new acting Town Clerk following the arrest of Vakai Douglas Chikwekwe who was holding the position in an acting capacity as well.
Chikwekwe was arrested 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)S.I.5 of 2018
Churu was appointed yesterday together with the assistant director, (City Planning), Tapiwa Marerwa who assumed the position of acting Chamber Secretary.
A letter dated 20 February 2020, referenced “Directive on reporting for work while on bail” signed by Cllr Kombayi saw Chikwekwe being requested to recuse himself from his duties until cleared by the courts.
“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 letter.
In Another letter, Mayor Kombayi notified Council of the immediate appointment of Churu and 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 letter.
However Council is expected to hold a special Meeting on Wednesday 22 February 2023 to pass a resolution on the new appointments.