Harare — Harare City councillors have re-engaged town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi on the issue of former director of works Engineer Christopher Zvobgo after initially excluding him from a committee constituted to recommend a solution following a Supreme Court order to reinstate Eng Zvobgo with full benefits.

The engagement of Dr Mahachi signals a shift in the confrontational approach that councillors had adopted in the matter and risked sending the wrong messages to other employees who would in future have refused to have their cases scrutinised by Dr Mahachi opting to deal directly with councillors.

According to the latest full council minutes, a subcommittee consisting of councillors that was appointed to recommend the way forward has agreed that Eng Zvobgo be deployed to head the newly-formed water and sanitation department.

The sub-committee was tasked to seek Dr Mahachi's views on the committee's recommendations.

"The subcommittee proceed to engage the town clerk for his views on its recommendations and the way forward," read part of the full council resolutions.

Eng Zvobgo indicated interest to head the department following the abolishment of the department of works he headed nine years ago.

He has been away from council for the last nine years fighting legal battles to reclaim his post.

"The former director of works be considered for reinstatement under the Harare Water and Sanitation Department in compliance with the court ruling," read the minutes.

The full council said it was improper to continue paying Eng Zvobgo while he was not doing any work for the city.

He started accessing his salary and benefits in February.

Mayor Mr Muchadeyi Masunda has already said council would comply with a court order reinstating Eng Zvobgo and that the order overrides the directive by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo barring the reinstatement.

Meanwhile, Eng Zvobgo's lawyer Ms Sheila Jarvis has written to Mr Masunda complaining over his recent pronouncement that Eng Zvobgo should apply for employment in the water and sanitation department and "be considered like any other" applicant.

Ms Jarvis said her client was being very accommodative by accepting to head the water and sanitation department.

"It will be an accommodation on his part. Water and sewage needs much urgent attention and has long been his specialty," she said.