Nkayi RDC chief shadily hires female accountant

Danisa Masuku

ACTING Nkayi Rural District (RDC) chief executive officer has appeared in court facing charges of criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.

Lawrence Mudimba (38) appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Tavengwa Sangster Lawrence Mudimba.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge and was remanded out of custody to 16 October for continuation of trial.

Allegations against Mudimba are that sometime in August 2020 Nkayi RDC placed an advert in one of the daily newspapers for the post of Accounts clerk.

It is reported that Mudimba recommended that Thabelani Musunko be employed despite the fact that she did not apply and was not interviewed for the job.

Investigations by Nkayi RDC established that no council resolution was obtained to employ her.

It is alleged Mudimba disregarded the council’s recruitment and selection process when he employed Musunko who had not yet even got her results from a university where she was learning.

It is said while committing the offence Mudimba instructed the human capital officer (name withheld) to process Musunko’s salary and other relevant employment documents as if she had been employed procedurally.

The Nkayi RDC noted that Mudimba was “out of line” with his duties as a public officer and showed favour to Musunko and reported the matter to the police leading to Mudimba’s arrest.

In his defence he said his decision to hire Musunko on a contract basis was arrived at after employees complained of work overload.

He said he did not see any problem by employing her since she did her attachment at Nkayi RDC and was familiar with the council’s way of doing things.

He further said he skipped the recruitment and selection process because Musunko was being employed on a contract basis and the recruitment and selection process was not followed when recruiting contract workers.

He further said the recruitment for Musunko was ratified at a full council meeting.

Mudimba also said his responsibilities entailed that sufficient financial, human resources and other work related things are available for efficient discharge of duties.