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Patrick Chitumba Midlands Bureau Chief
ZVISHAVANE Town Council secretary, Mr Tinoda Mukutu, has resumed his duties after council resolved to reinstate him in compliance with a Labour Court ruling that declared his suspension null and void.

The town council’s director of housing, Mr Nhlanhla Ngwenya, said Mr Mukutu started work last week after about three months on suspension.

He said council complied with a Labour Court order which ruled recently that his suspension was null and void.

“The boss (Mr Mukutu) is back yes, but for further details please talk to him,” said Mr Ngwenya who served as acting town secretary in the absence of Mr Mukutu.

Mr Mukutu could not be reached for comment as he was said to be in a meeting.

However, council sources told The Chronicle that Mr Mukutu approached the Labour Court following his suspension.

“The Labour Court ruled that his suspension was null and void before throwing away the allegations that were being levelled against him. So council sat down and resolved to reinstate him so as to avoid any possible legal costs,” said the source.

Mr Mukutu was suspended for allegedly dithering on implementing council resolutions.

One council resolution he was accused of failing to implement was one directing the suspension of the director of finance Mr George Jongoni on allegations of embezzling council funds.

“Acting in terms of Section 139 3(a) of the Urban Councils Act Chapter 29:15, it has appeared to the chairman of the Zvishavane Town Council that you have continuously been defying my instructions and orders of the council inter alia allegations, to the extent that I found it fit and desirable to act in terms of Section 3 (a) of the said Act and I therefore suspend you from office forthwith and you are required to leave Zvishavane Town Council office forthwith,” reads a suspension letter council chairman Esau Gwatipedza Dube wrote to Mr Mukutu three months ago. — @pchitumba1