Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo MoyoCheck Point
A SENIOR Bulawayo City Council ambulance supervisor has been booted out after being linked to a fuel scandal involving nearly 7 000 litres of diesel worth close to US$10 000.
The axe fell on Peter Dube (57) after he was hauled before a three-man disciplinary committee on Tuesday, facing a cocktail of damning charges.
Sources close to the matter revealed that Dube was found guilty of misappropriating council fuel, tampering with a service vehicle’s speedometer, failing to produce vehicle logbooks and gross incompetency.
He was dismissed on the most serious charges and slapped with a final written warning for the remaining offences.
“He couldn’t account for litres and litres of diesel, and the logbooks simply vanished. There was also evidence he tampered with the speedometer of a council vehicle to cover his tracks,” said a source within council chambers.
Contacted for comment, BCC Chamber Secretary Mrs Sikhangele Zhou would not confirm or deny the sacking, instead referring questions to Human Capital Director Mr Makhosi Tshalebwa.
“Please talk to the Human Capital Director, he oversees disciplinary processes,” she said.
Mr Tshalebwa initially said he was yet to be briefed on the outcome. Pressed for an update yesterday, he said, “I haven’t forgotten. Other processes have kicked in after the conclusion of the case.”
Insiders say the fuel loss scandal is one of the biggest in the city’s emergency services department in recent years.
Council is expected to announce further internal audits into other departments where more fuel irregularities are suspected.
More to follow.
