Staff Reporter
…as fire fighters leave for greener pastures
Misplaced priorities within the MDC Alliance-led urban councils have contributed to severe brain drain as council workers flee for greener pastures.
Speaking through its official Twitter handle, the Harare City Council complained about its inability to deliver service, blaming it on the departing employees.
“125 fire-fighters have left council for the Middle East. The brain and skills drain is affecting capacity. The employees cite low salaries as the reason for leaving,” read the post.
One council employee who agreed to be interviewed by this publication on condition of anonymity, cited misplaced priorities within the council executive as the reason for low salaries.
“Since the MDC Alliance took over the urban councils, money collected from residents remittances, parking fees, levies, rental collections from council farms, stadiums, clinics and so on, has been directed to hefty salaries for the council executives, buying expensive cars for them, flamboyant workshops and funding the MDC Alliance activities. None of it was shared with general employees or used for service delivery,” said the employee.
Netizen Prince Tagwira, reiterated that council should pay its employees well enough for them to stay in their jobs.
“You should consider paying them well, instead you have a slavery mentality from your handlers. These fire fighters are leaving because of the mediocre salaries. For your own information, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) is more appealing in the Middle East,” said Tagwira.
Meanwhile, the MDC Alliance-led urban council have been marred by corruption scandals involving abuse of office and misappropriation of council funds at the expense of service delivery and employee remuneration. Two former Mayors of Harare City Council are currently facing corruption charges for cases ranging from abuse of office and misappropriation of council funds.
The Fire Department operates from four stations at central stores, Greendale, Waterfalls and Kuwadzana.
