Grave accusations of nepotism and procedural impropriety have recently engulfed the Polis Chrysochous Municipality Council. Deputy Mayor Dervis Charalambous of Kritou Terra has consequently lodged a formal complaint with the Interior Ministry and the Auditor-General. These serious allegations centre on recent decisions regarding the permanent appointment of seasonal municipal workers. Mr. Charalambous asserts that the processes employed constitute "criminal offences" and egregious breaches of administrative rectitude and moral order.
Intense disagreement has reportedly fostered within council sessions concerning the permanent absorption of temporary, seasonal employees into the municipal workforce. At the heart of the controversy are claims that several deputy mayors, whose relatives benefited from these appointments, allegedly participated in the voting that sanctioned their permanent employment. This alleged conflict of interest, critics contend, fundamentally undermines the integrity of the recruitment process. It also raises serious questions about fairness and transparency in municipal decision-making.
A pivotal moment in the escalating situation occurred during a municipal council meeting on February 26th. A contentious vote determined the fate of seasonal workers, with the council evenly divided. Eight deputy mayors advocated for public advertisement of new positions, while an equal number favoured retaining existing seasonal staff. Ultimately, Mayor Yiotis Papachristofi’s casting vote tipped the scales in favour of retaining current employees.
Further compounding the allegations are claims that contracts for several seasonal workers were unlawfully extended beyond the nine-month statutory limit. This alleged circumvention of regulations is said to have enabled these individuals to meet the twelve-month service requirement for permanent positions. Subsequently, the consolidation of hourly-paid workers was reportedly ratified on Monday, with the controversial participation of relatives in the voting process. This was followed by a second unlawful vote on Tuesday, where the permanent appointment of 17 seasonal workers was approved. This occurred despite the alleged presence and participation of four deputy mayors whose children were among those being considered.
Mr. Charalambous has unequivocally stated his refusal to be "an accomplice in these illegalities." He signals his intention to boycott further municipal council meetings until the legitimacy of the procedures is unequivocally restored. He has formally communicated his concerns, urging state authorities to scrutinize the municipality's administrative practices. While Mayor Papachristofi has acknowledged Mr. Charalambous's prerogative to raise issues for review, the gravity of the accusations suggests a thorough investigation by the Interior Ministry and the Auditor-General is now highly probable.
Should the claims be substantiated, they could lead to legal challenges concerning the validity of the recruitment decisions. This could also potentially erode public confidence in the governance of the Polis Chrysochous Municipality. The situation underscores the critical importance of upholding stringent ethical standards and transparent procedures in public administration. Trade unions SEK and PEO have also reportedly been engaged, indicating broader implications for labour relations. The coming weeks are expected to be critical as state authorities assess the presented evidence and determine the appropriate course of action.