GOVERNMENT has set up a commission of inquiry to investigate
reports of alleged corruption and abuse of funds by MDC councillors in
Marondera town.
The investigations come after residents prepared a dossier
against the Nelson Chamisa-led MDC councillors who are accused of milking
council through “useless trips and workshops” among other allegations.
Local Government deputy minister Marian Chombo yesterday
confirmed the setting up of a probe team to look into the matter with the
preliminary investigations beginning next Monday.
“I confirm government received a report from residents in
Marondera. We have set up a commission of inquiry that is yet to be approved by
relevant authorities. However, we have also asked one of the directors to come
to Marondera for preliminary investigations before the commission takes over.
The director will be in Marondera on Monday,” she said.
In a petition signed by more than 1 500 residents and
addressed to Local Government ministry, the councillors are said to have at one
point allegedly demanded money from council saying they wanted to travel to
Zvimba for the late former President Robert Mugabe’s funeral, a move that was
meant for monetary benefit.
“During the funeral of Robert Gabriel Mugabe, all
councillors claimed three days, three nights allowances on the pretext that
they were attending his funeral. They got mileage and full tanks for their cars
from council. They did not attend the funeral,” read the petition.
The petition also accused the councillors of going on trips
outside town disguised as “look and learn” journeys in a bid to fatten their
pockets.
“All councillors are travelling out of town on adventures
disguised as look and learn. The trips are taking place twice a month with each
tour taking between four and five days. They trips are money-spinning games
which run in the face of a government directive not to engage in such without
the express authority by the minister. Thousands of dollars are gobbled as
councillors claim T/S (travel and subsistence allowances) and mileage for their
cars which is pegged at $5 per kilometre. To us this is a sure Ponzi scheme,”
read the petition. The MDC has 11 councillors in Marondera Town while Zanu PF
has one.
In the petition, the councillors are also being accused of
acquiring residential stands within a year of taking oath of office. The
municipality has since given each councillor a residential stand saying it is
their privilege.
Some of the councillors are accused of regularising a
fraudulent land deal between council and a private company.
Chamisa on Tuesday threatened to recall incompetent and
corrupt councillors. Newsday
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