No exit packages for councillors

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LOCAL authorities in Matabeleland South have been warned against awarding outgoing councillors exit packages while outgoing city fathers with outstanding loans have been ordered to clear them.

LOCAL authorities in Matabeleland South have been warned against awarding outgoing councillors exit packages while outgoing city fathers with outstanding loans have been ordered to clear them.

Nqobile Bhebhe

The term of office for councillors ended on June 29 and the government appointed commissions to run local authorities.

According to a letter by Matabeleland South provincial administrator Midard Khumalo, dated June 26 addressed to district administrators, town clerks and chief executive officers in the province.

The government said councillors were not entitled to exit packages because they were not permanent employees.

“Councils are therefore urged to ensure that all council property that had been given to a councillor should be returned,” he said.

“Arrangements should be made to recover any advance payments or loans advanced to councilors before their terms of office expire” Khumalo wrote.

Khumalo said the comissions “shall not, without the express approval of the minister, impose new levies, rates or taxes nor increase any charge fixed by council nor recruit new staff, or effect new staff promotions”.

There were reports that outgoing Bulawayo councillors are demanding exit packages ranging from cars and to laptops.