By Correspondent
Some senior Council officials have been accused of manipulating the system to delay retirement after passing 65 years.
The officials, including Acting Town Clerk Phakamile Mabhena and Acting Finance Director Godfrey Kusangaya have reached 65 years.
However, according to Harare Residents Trust (HRT) the officials have reportedly pushed for renewal of their contracts.
“There is renewed push to renew the contracts of senior council employees who reached retirement age two or three years ago.
“The HRT urges the City of Harare to allow natural succession within council departments.
“The Acting Town Clerk and Acting Finance Director among others have reached their retirement ages.
“(However, they) are being kept despite their track records of service not that impressive. “
Those who have reached retirement ages should be retired without manipulation of systems to retain the above 65 years employees.
HRT Director Precious Shumba said new and younger employees should be recruited.
“New professionals should be recruited to fill vacancies within the council.
“Those due for promotions should be elevated without much politics.
It said that one of the reasons a lot of senior council workers are kept in acting capacities is because the policymakers and other senior bureaucrats want weaker people in positions of influence.
“They are easily manipulated with promises of being rewarded with a substantive position if they allowed themselves to be puppets.
“Check everyone in an acting capacity and observe what they are being made to do in the cartel- run capital City.
“They will never appoint competent professionals to run certain departments,” he said.
The normal retirement age in Zimbabwe is 60 years or 65 years, for late retirement.
President Mnangagwa also approved the harmonization of the retirement age in the civil service to 65 years in 2020.
