By Talent Gondo| The Local government ministry has endorsed the return of fired Chitungwiza Town Clerk, George Makunde to his previous position at the local authority following recommendations by councillors that reinstating him saved council from incurring labour dispute costs.

Makunde was fired in October last year by the Caretaker Commission led by Madzudzo Pawadyira and appointed by former Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere which established that his contract had expired in August.

In a letter dated 19 April 2018, Acting Chitungwiza Mayor, Councillor Goodwill Mushangwe wrote to the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, July Moyo seeking permission to reinstate Makunde following a full council resolution on the matter.

“This is to notify you that we convened a special full council meeting on Monday 16 April 2018, where the issue of the town clerk arose,” said Mayor Mushangwe.

“This is to advise you that council feels it is prudent to correct this anomaly by causing the return of Dr Makunde to Chitungwiza Municipality with immediate effect.

“This letter therefore seeks to advise you that council is thus reinstating Makunde without any prejudice. This will also protect the local authority from unnecessary labour dispute,” wrote Mayor Mushangwe.

The Local Authority minister, Moyo endorsed Makunde’s return to Chitungwiza Town Council in a letter dated 24 April 2018.

“We have no objection to the decision to reinstate him since we had earlier written to you in the affirmative,” wrote minister Moyo.

Makunde joined Chitungwiza municipality on August 20, 2012 on a 5 year contract that expired on August 19, 2017.

He was however fired by the Chairman of the caretaker commission appointed by former local government minister, Kasukuwere in 2017 for not disclosing that his contract had expired on August 19 of the same year.