adminChinhoyi Bureau -All but three Chinhoyi town councillors failed to meet Monday’s 10am deadline to repay money they owe in advances and loans extended to them in breach of local government regulations.
Those who failed had accrued in excess of US$4 000 each while one of the councillors cleared the larger chunk but came up US$40 short.
Clr Nicholas Mutsunge failed to raise $40 needed to clear the debt while Clr Tendai Musonza, who owed about US$4 000, now has a balance of US$3 910.
Special interests councillor Simba Kanzou owes US$3 290.
Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo last week said any councillor who failed to meet the deadline would be automatically expelled. This follows a Governmentcommissioned investigation in Chinhoyi, which unearthed numerous irregularities in the local authority’s affairs.
One was extension of loans and advances to councillors in breach of the Urban Councils Act, which outlaws such facilities to nonfull time staff.
Councillors are not permanent employees. The money owed by councillors had ballooned to about US$26 000.
Town Clerk Mr Ezekiel Muringani said as of yesterday no employee owed council any money.
“Some council employees, especially management, can apply for loans as part of their conditions of service in accordance with set guidelines,” he said.
Meanwhile, a team of experts seconded to council by Government to audit Chinhoyi’s systems and operations arrived on Monday and began working.
Makonde district administrator Mr Webster Tembo heads the team that will carry out a sevenday probe.
Next week, another team will come in to assist council run its affairs following months of turbulence characterised by worker unrest, mounting debt and general decline in service delivery.
The council owes workers, Zimra, NSSA and other creditors tens of thousands of dollars. The monthly salary bill for the around 400 workers is about US$360 000 against a revenue in the region of US$150 000.
Online Reporter