—Operations at Lundazi District Council yesterday temporarily came to a standstill after angry unionized division four council workers protested and locked Offices of Council Secretary, Magubbwi Simukolomba, and Council Treasurer, Mable Yengayenga, demanding three months unpaid salary arrears.
And a quick action by police and Lundazi District Administrative Officer, Mukule Banda, saved the situation and pleaded with the angry workers to unlock the offices and allow
the Council Secretary and his Council Treasurer to enter and work.
After a lengthy discussion, the workers agreed to unlock the offices following assurance that the Provincial Local Government Officer [PLGO], Macloud Nyirenda, would address them the following day.
The workers, however, passed a vote of confidence in the Council Secretary Mr Simukolomba, and his treasurers for their alleged failure to manage Lundazi Council efficiently and effectively.
The workers accused Mr Simukolomba of failure to address them on their three months unpaid salaries despite union leaders pleading with him to do so.
They accused the Council Treasurer of alleged arrogance and failure to respect their rights.
They have since appealed to Local Government Services Commission to consider transferring the two chief officers to other districts.
The workers claimed that their children have not been learning since January 2013 because they were chased from school due to lack of school fees, while those occupying rented houses have also been evicted by landlords due to failure to pay rentals.
But when contacted for a comment Mr Simukolomba told ZANIS that the council was experiencing financial challenges and failed to raise KR60,000-00 for salaries due to limited income raised from commercial ventures.