Gwanda teacher fired for contesting in polls

Politics
Teacher who unsuccessfully contested the Gwanda South House of Assembly seat on an MDC ticket has been barred from reporting for work.

A teacher who unsuccessfully contested the Gwanda South House of Assembly seat on an MDC ticket has been barred from reporting for work by the Education ministry. Albert Ncube Own Correspondent

Leagang Garfield Makwati had not resigned from the civil service and reported for duty at Gwanda Government Secondary when schools opened for the third term on September 3.

But on September 10 the Civil Service Commission inspector for Gwanda, a B Chimoto, wrote to the acting district education officer Job Ncube saying Makwati did not seek permission to contest the elections. The teacher was told to stop reporting for duty immediately.

“In view of the above Makwati is deemed to have resigned on the date the nomination court sat,” Chimoto wrote.

“May you through your structures inform Makwati not to report for duty at Gwanda Government Secondary School and reapply if he wishes to be readmitted into the service as a teacher.”

The government has said civil servants who resigned in order to contest during the July 31 elections can reapply to get their jobs back.