adminIn an interview on the sidelines at the unveiling of the National Matabeleland Zambezi Water Project (NMZWP), Dr Chombo said the poor calibre of councillors was to blame for the anomaly.
“Councillors formulate policy to be implemented by directors and CEOs. We told them to make sure that salaries are in tandem with the performance and rate of revenue collection of their respective local authorities but they have failed to do so. It could be either due to incompetence or simple corruption,” said Dr Chombo.
He said the issue of salaries had been brought before Cabinet and would soon be debated on.
“Honestly, we cannot allow the prevailing situation in which some CEOs are getting between $20 000 and $30 000 every month.
“They also get a company car, two domestic workers on councils’ bill and school fees for their children. They also have their electricity bills paid by local authorities and two free holidays every year at the expense of ratepayers,” he said.
Dr Chombo said Cabinet was likely to recommend the reduction of the salaries and benefits.
He said town clerks and CEOs should not milk ratepayers as their salaries were gobbling up most of what local authorities made, leaving them saddled with unmanageable debts and being unable to pay workers.
“Councillors are letting them get away with it. I cannot reveal specific names of CEOs at the moment but they will all be revealed in the Cabinet report,” said Dr Chombo.
He urged residents to elect a better crop of councillors in the forthcoming elections to safeguard their interests.
Meanwhile, Dr Chombo said the report on the investigation of corruption allegations against Bulawayo councillors and officials would be ready next week.
“The investigations are apolitical and objective. It is the duty of my ministry to step in where ratepayers are being prejudiced.
“A number of councillors have become inexplicably filthy rich after assuming office,” he said.
Dr Chombo said he could not give specific examples from Bulawayo because he was yet to see the report.
“However, I can tell you that in Harare, 44 councillors did not have cars when they assumed office, now only two do not own cars. Some of them now have multiple houses. On the allowances paid to councillors, the sudden riches cannot be justified. That is why we are investigating most local authorities,” said Dr Chombo.
He said his ministry was protecting ratepayers from being abused by unscrupulous councillors.
“People have been shortchanged through underhand activities by some councillors. What they must know is that Zimbabweans are educated and they know a thief when they see one. Whoever will be found guilty will be dealt with according to the dictates of the Urban Councils Act,” he said.
The issue of local authorities failing to pay workers and deliver services to residents has in recent years been taking centre stage at council meetings.
In March, the Zimbabwe Urban Councils Workers’ Union (ZUCWU) threatened to call a nationwide strike due to salary arrears by 12 out of 23 urban councils.
The town of Redcliff had by then reportedly gone for more than two years without paying its workers.
Online Reporter