The Zimbabwean police have just arrested Thomas Mataga, who serves as chairperson of the Bikita Rural District Council and is also a Ward 31 councilor. The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission charged him because he allegedly failed to heed a government minister's instructions regarding the selection of a new Chief Executive Officer for their local government. The 52-year-old lives in Munatsi Village, part of Chief Mazungunye's area.
Officials charged him with criminal abuse of office under Section 174 of the Criminal Law Chapter 9:23. They also added another charge - refusing to obey a minister's order under Section 161 of the Rural District Councils Act Chapter 29:13. His job as council chairperson requires him to run meetings and make sure everyone follows Zimbabwe's laws. The problem began in June 2024, when Bikita's Human Resources Committee convened an emergency meeting to discuss hiring a new CEO.
They placed an ad in The Sunday Mail newspaper on September 8, 2024. Many people sent applications for the job. After carefully checking all candidates, the committee picked three finalists: Arnold Mtuke, Archibald Ncube, and Savory Chikomwe. After interviewing these three people, the Human Resources and Gender Committee sent their picks to the Full Council, which agreed with them.
They passed these names to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works for final approval. The Minister selected Archibald Ncube as CEO on January 2, 2025. The Minister added that if Ncube declined the job, they should offer it to Savory Chikomwe. If both turned it down, they needed to advertise the position again.
Even though the Minister chose Ncube, Thomas Mataga reportedly sent a letter on January 21, 2025, saying he disagreed with this choice. Zimbabwean law clearly states that anyone who does not follow a minister's orders can face punishment, either by paying a fine or spending up to six months in jail. The court let Mataga go home instead of keeping him in jail during the case. If the court finds him guilty, he might end up in prison or have to pay a big fine.
This situation has sparked much discussion among local government workers. Some wonder why the Minister overlooked the best candidate. Others say you must follow proper procedures when you disagree with a Minister's decision.
Officials charged him with criminal abuse of office under Section 174 of the Criminal Law Chapter 9:23. They also added another charge - refusing to obey a minister's order under Section 161 of the Rural District Councils Act Chapter 29:13. His job as council chairperson requires him to run meetings and make sure everyone follows Zimbabwe's laws. The problem began in June 2024, when Bikita's Human Resources Committee convened an emergency meeting to discuss hiring a new CEO.
They placed an ad in The Sunday Mail newspaper on September 8, 2024. Many people sent applications for the job. After carefully checking all candidates, the committee picked three finalists: Arnold Mtuke, Archibald Ncube, and Savory Chikomwe. After interviewing these three people, the Human Resources and Gender Committee sent their picks to the Full Council, which agreed with them.
They passed these names to the Minister of Local Government and Public Works for final approval. The Minister selected Archibald Ncube as CEO on January 2, 2025. The Minister added that if Ncube declined the job, they should offer it to Savory Chikomwe. If both turned it down, they needed to advertise the position again.
Even though the Minister chose Ncube, Thomas Mataga reportedly sent a letter on January 21, 2025, saying he disagreed with this choice. Zimbabwean law clearly states that anyone who does not follow a minister's orders can face punishment, either by paying a fine or spending up to six months in jail. The court let Mataga go home instead of keeping him in jail during the case. If the court finds him guilty, he might end up in prison or have to pay a big fine.
This situation has sparked much discussion among local government workers. Some wonder why the Minister overlooked the best candidate. Others say you must follow proper procedures when you disagree with a Minister's decision.
