Zimbabwe News Online: Town house high ranking officials hijack Econet scholarships

Town house high ranking officials hijack Econet scholarships
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Herald on 30 August, 2010 05:58:00
 
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."