Latecomers locked out at Mwanza council offices

New Mwanza City Council leadership has noted with concern civil servants reporting late for work and has promised to reverse the trend.

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Mwanza. There was mild drama at Mwanza City Council on Monday as civil servants were locked out of their offices for allegedly reporting late to work.

Newly appointed Mwanza City Council Executive Director Kiomoni Kibamba said he locked out workers after learning that none of them had reported to work by 7.30am, which is the official reporting time.

The city council workers were seen standing in small groups outside the entrance of the council building.

“I came here at around 06:45am but by 07.00am, not a single civil servant had reported for work,” said Mr Kibamba.

“I, therefore, instructed the guards to close the gate at 7.30am, which is reporting time for all civil servants. I will not tolerate idleness,” he added.

Mr Kibamba said, according to the Public Service Act of 2009, working hours start at 8:00am, and that a civil servant is supposed to report to work half an hour before.

Speaking to The Citizen, the Tanzania Local Government Workers Union (TAWLGU) chairman at Mwanza City Council, Mr Tundosa Sospeter, said although the director has the right to lock out workers, he was supposed to hold a meeting with them before taking such a decision.