*Harare Councillors Clash Over Retirement Age Extension to 70* Harare, Zimbabwe – ZiMetro News can exclusively report on a brewing storm within the City of Harare council chambers, where councillors are at loggerheads over a contentious proposal to extend the mandatory retirement age for municipal workers to 70 years. The capital’s local authority finds itself in a heated internal debate following its adoption of a national directive that raises the compulsory retirement age. This policy shift has ignited significant concerns among some council members, who argue that it creates a disadvantage for both senior employees and the city’s burgeoning unemployed youth population. During a recent full council meeting, officials reviewed a human resources report which formally incorporated the national mandate. This move comes on the heels of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s statutory instrument, which extended the retirement threshold for public sector workers, including those employed by local government entities. Councillor Denford Ngadziore (Ward 16) emerged as a prominent voice of opposition, strongly asserting that municipal authorities should not automatically rubber-stamp every directive issued by the central government. “This decision directly impacts youth opportunities,” Ngadziore emphatically stated to ZiMetro News. “We have countless university graduates who have been waiting for decades to secure employment, while we continuously extend the service periods of current employees.” The councillor highlighted the council’s steadily increasing retirement policy over the years: “We’ve moved from 55 to 60, then 65, and now 70. Where does it end? Soon we’ll be discussing 75 or 80 years as the retirement age.” Ngadziore also raised poignant concerns regarding senior workers who are still performing physically demanding roles. “It’s troubling to see elderly employees climbing onto tipper trucks,” he noted. “We must respect their right to a dignified retirement and the enjoyment of their pension, just as we protect against child labor.” In contrast, Councillor George Mujajati, who chairs the Council’s Human Resources Committee, confirmed the directive’s adoption. “We’ve formally accepted the government policy and are currently executing the implementation process,” Mujajati stated. The contentious debate is set to continue as Harare grapples with the delicate balance between adhering to national directives and addressing the realities of its local workforce, including the pressing needs of generational employment. ZiMetro News will continue to follow this story closely as councillors seek to reach a consensus on whether the retirement age will ultimately be increased or not. Join Our WhatsApp Channel - https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VayakkT60eBljXo25N2V