Town house high ranking officials hijack Econet scholarships

Econet

A storm is brewing at Town House over 14 scholarships donated by Econet with city employees accusing managers of hijacking the programme.

Chairman of the council human resources committee, Councillor Panganayi Charumbira, accused management of "ambushing" the scholarships.

Among senior officials who benefited are chamber secretary Mrs Josephine Ncube, chief legal officer Mr Charles Kandemiri, the second-in-charge in the waste management department Mr Emmanuel Muza, deputy director of housing and community services Mr James Chiyangwa, a Mr Kurauone from urban planning services, and the director of engineering services Engineer Philip Pfukwa.

A function to officially handover the scholarships was held last Friday but contrary to tradition, the media were not invited. In his address at the last full council meeting, Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda implored senior managers to ensure the scholarships benefited lower level staffers who cannot afford university fees.

Town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi yesterday confirmed senior managers had benefited saying "when a fish rots it starts from the head".

"We decided to give the senior managers the scholarships because when a fish rots it starts from the head.

"Next time we will give the scholarships to the junior members of staff," he said.

He said two junior officers in Grades six and seven had benefited in the treasury department. Workers yesterday decried the criteria used to award the scholarships. The scholarships are tenable at local universities.

"We thought the city would be futuristic and award the scholarships to younger employees.

"The young are the future but someone’s wisdom saw it fit to award the managers, most of whom can pay their own fees," said one worker.

Sources indicate that the list of beneficiaries was kept a closely guarded secret until just before the award ceremony. Mr Masunda could not be reached for comment yesterday as he was reportedly busy with "a document".

He sourced the scholarships. Clr Charumbira said, "We were ambushed as a committee. I am angry with this. We will take up the matter."