Chivhu – Two Chikomba Rural District MDC councillors have been dismissed from the local authority after they failed to comply with a Government directive to resign from Civil Service if they were to continue as councillors.

Bouncing ball
Councillors Edwin Museva (Ward 11) and Emmanuel Punungwe (10) both teachers employed by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education were kicked out of council today because they are in violation of a Public Service Commission circular.

The circular says civil servants should resign from Public Service within 30 days of being elected either as MP or councillor.

The marching orders were read out by Chikomba District Development Co-ordinator (DDC) Michael Mariga during a full council meeting after he referred to a directive circulated by Public Service Commission secretary, Ambassador Jonathan Wutaunashe.

However Maseva told The Mirror that the two are not complying with the directive and they have since engaged a lawyer.

Punungwe left the boardroom before the end of the meeting.

The directive is in accordance with PSC circular number 10 of November 28, 2018. This was followed with a letter to the two dated March 25, 2020 to which the two responded through lawyers.

“Given the fact that it is an act of misconduct to engage in any other employment or service for remuneration without the consent of the Commission, it is advisable that you act immediately to correct the situation. For avoidance of doubt, the Commission hereby directs that as a civil servant, you should cease to serve as a councillor with immediate effect,” reads Wutaunashe’s letter.

“We (me and Punungwe) received the circular from PSC and we responded through our lawyers and we are still waiting for their response. We are not complying with what the DDC read today,” said Maseva.

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