adminChengeto Jani Midlands Correspondent
Chachacha residents recently disrupted business at Tongogara Rural District Council after they staged a demonstration calling for the dismissal of chief executive Brian Rufasha on allegations of corruption.
The residents who were holding placards and chanting slogans denouncing corruption disrupted a full council meeting.
Headman Billiard Marira, who reportedly organised the protest, said that Mr Rufasha should step down as he was not initiating any development in the community.
“It is time for this corrupt CEO to go. He is not developing our community, but is rather interested in vetting business owners and refusing to licence some of us because he simply doesn’t like us. He is charging us a lot of fees, but we don’t see where all that money is going,” he said.
Mr Rufasha said the allegations were baseless and came from a group of illegal settlers refusing to pay council its dues.
“The people who demonstrated are mainly illegal settlers led by Headman Murira who is parcelling out council land at Chachacha and also some who sympathise with Munyoro whom we fired for corruption as he was involved in some illegal stand deals.
“I’m against corruption, council books are audited by external auditors appointed by the Auditor-General every year,” said Mr Rufasha.
Addington Munyoro, a former engineer at Tongogara RDC was fired last year following an investigation by council that revealed he was fraudulently selling massive pieces of land to individuals.
Mr Rufasha added that the protest was a reaction to the notice that the council gave to all illegal settlers to regularise their stands or face legal action.
“If they had genuine concerns they should have at least informed us in advance or at least inform the police about their protest,” he further said.
Tongogara RDC councillors have since signed a petition to have Mr Rufasha dismissed.
“All 24 councillors of the rural district council affix this document that states that pending proper guidance, we have agreed this day that due diligence must commence in the dismissal of the chief executive officer Brian Rufasha on allegations levelled against him that will follow in further documents,” reads the petition signed by the councillors.
The petition, which is dated April 6, 2018 was expected to be submitted to the District Administrator yesterday.
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