Edwin Moyo
Gweru- City of Gweru Mayor Councilor Martin Chivhoko has come out guns blazing against the council management for meddling in partisan politics at the expense of service delivery which they are paid to do.

This comes as some members of the management have been suspected for being political at the expense of their daily duties.
Speaking at the distribution of the 2024 Gweru Mayor’s Cheer Fund proceeds last week, Chivhoko expressed concern over the welfare of workers which he said was on the line due to unpaid salaries.
“As we begin 2025 let me say, we want a paradigm shift and be there to serve the needs of the communities that come from. We are here to serve the people and never our own interest. We must then go out of our way and serve the people. So let me warn those in my council that we must not be involved in politics when we are not politicians
“Do not take part in politics, you are not politicians do not be caught in factional politics, you are not politicians. This includes everyone the whole management up to the town clerk. No senior manager should go on leave when ordinary workers have not been paid their outstanding salaries, that won’t happen.” Chivhoko said.
Meanwhile, a Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers Union (ZUCWU) Gweru branch chairperson, Brilliant Munyamani expressed concern over the welfare of workers.
“Yes, workers as of today have not received their December salaries. Grades 1-7 got salaries and bonuses in December but grade 8 upwards have not got their bonuses. The council owes workers half of their allowances for October and November.
“October salaries were pegged at US$150 and they were paid $100 and $50 was to be paid in local currency. In November workers were paid US$75 and US$75d is to be paid in local currency. So in brief that’s what is there. Workers could not pay their rentals and even school fees because of the salary delays and arrears at Gweru City Council.
“Whenever elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers and we are suffering, we have families to feed. I don’t know whether they think we feed the families with holy water or something else.” Munyamani said.
Reports obtained by this publication reveal that some of the workers have since resorted to side hustles to fend for their families compromising service delivery.