AT least 60 people applied for the post of Chitungwiza town clerk that was left vacant following the dismissal of Mr Godfrey Tanyanyiwa on corruption charges.

But only nine were short listed and interviewed on Tuesday. There were 19 others short listed for the posts of chamber secretary, director of housing and community services and director of health services.

Acting town clerk Mr Fungai Mbetsa confirmed yesterday that 188 people applied for the four posts, with 69 interested in the post of chamber secretary, 50 for the post of housing director and nine for the post of health services director.

"We have done all the interviews for all the posts. We had panellists drawn from other local authorities, our parent Ministry and councillors from the General Purposes Committee," he said.

The candidates included town clerks of other towns, town secretaries, directors and senior Government officials.

He said the short listed candidates from those interviewed would be submitted to council for approval before submission to the Local Government Board. Mr Mbetsa said the successful candidates were expected to start work on August 1. He said his resuscitation team was winding off its tour of duty and was racing against time to ensure the senior executives were in employment.