By Own Correspondent

Harare Residents Trust director, Precious Shumba,has threatened to mobilise citizens over the continued awarding of hefty salaries to Harare City Council’s officials.

This comes on the back of revelations that suspended town clerk, Hosiah Chisango, is still receiving a US$27 000 salary and huge perks despite the expiry of his contract, it has emerged Mathew Marara, an assistant to Chisango, is also reportedly receiving a hefty package.

Rattled by the reckless administration, Shumba said if this nonsense continues then residents will be left with no choice except to mobilise.

“They (council managers) must not resist salary cuts, they have an option to go and look for new jobs because we are suffering in Harare because of poor service delivery, if they refuse they should help themselves by leaving Harare City Council because there are competent people who are willing to work at Harare City for half the salary of those who are giving themselves hefty packages,” Shumba said.

“We cannot be held at ransom because of the need for good living, if they continue to hold us at ransom, then we are going to protest."

Combined Harare Residents Association director, Reuben Akili, said he was aware of the move to resist salary cuts.

“If it is true what l have heard then it is inhuman, they are giving themselves hefty salaries and we are protesting against such a move,” he said.

Harare mayor Jacob Mafume yesterday said some of the executives were marrying every year because of big packages.

“The reduction of salaries is inevitable and it is unquestionable, some of them are even awash with money that they are marrying every year. If anyone resists, we will liberate them from the organisation so that they will go and enjoy life with their wives.

Councillors last week grilled human capital director, Bosman Matengarufu, during a full council meeting on why Chisango and other executives were still receiving huge packages in the face of collapsing service delivery.