Tsunga Mhangami

Service / Career

Previously (including 1991) Masvingo town clerk.
August 2015 - Chair of Gweru commission.

Events

In December 1991, the Maxim gun, removed at independence and taken to the Military Museum in Gweru, was remounted at its original site at the corner of Robert Mugabe Way and Leopold Takawira Avenue, apparently a few days before Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to the town in October. The Town Clerk, Cde Tsunga Mhangami, alluding to political reforms taking place worldwide, said the remounting of the gun was “part of the changes.’’ “People are beginning to be politically mature and because the gun has always been a part of this town, it would therefore be unfair for future generations of this town to be deprived of their history’’, he said. ^[1]

(Other information is that the machine gun was the Gardener Gun brought with the Pioneer Column)

In October 2018, former Gweru town clerk Daniel Matau and incumbent Elizabeth Gwatipedza were being paid for the same job due to a legal technicality. An extraordinary council meeting was held to deal with the matter after the new councillors, led by mayor Josiah Makombe, expressed concern about the arrangement. The salary is understood to be $6 000.

A committee (three councillors and two managers) was set up of former mayor Charles Chikozho, finance committee chair Martin Chivhoko, councillor Trust Chineni, finance director Edgar Mwedzi and human resources manager Jepson Nemusoso, to investigate the matter and report back within seven days. We intend to rope in a labour expert as well so that the matter of two people being paid for one post is put to rest.

Daniel Matau was suspended and then fired in July 2016 by the Tsunga Mhangami commission. His dismissal followed recommendations by a board of inquiry appointed to probe allegations of corruption at Town House, which found him guilty on 15 counts of gross incompetence and neglect of duties.

Daniel Matau challenged his dismissal at the Bulawayo High Court and Justice Nicholas Matonsi ruled in his favour in March this year and ordered his reinstatement. But the local authority had already hired Elizabeth Gwatipedza to fill the post, leading into a gentleman’s agreement that ensured Daniel Matau would just get his salary despite not coming to work. ^[2]

In May 2019, the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, (ZACC) in collaboration with the Special Anti-Corruption Unit in the Office of the President and Cabinet, started investigations into allegations of corruption against former Gweru commissioners. The three commissioners, Chair Tsunga Mhangami, Mark Choga and Parenyi Chamunorwa, were appointed by Saviour Kasukuwere in August 2015 following the suspension of the city’s 18 councillors. The tenure of office of the commission ended 90 days after 14 August 2015 when they were appointed, but they remained in office until March of the following year, with the local authority continuing to pay them allowances. In 2018, Gweru Residents and Ratepayers’ Association petitioned government to force the commissioners to reimburse the allowances paid after their tenure of office had expired. Reports hold that they were entitled to allowances of $525 each per week, but awarded themselves $1 300 each per week at AA rates, which were not approved by government. They prejudiced council of over $100 000. ^[3]