adminBlessings Chidakwa Correspondent
Chinhoyi Town councillors are involved in damaging infighting following allegations of misappropriation of funds under the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund. In the infighting, some councillors are backing Ward 1 Councillor Tapera Mutovido, while others are rooting for businessman Mr Godfrey Mavankeni.
Council sources told The Herald that emotions ran high at the last full council meeting where the factional leanings were on full display. Those fighting in Clr Mutovido’s corner allegedly pushed for the firing of Mr Mavankeni as the Chinhoyi Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund chairperson.
The councillors raised allegations of misappropriation of the Christmas cheer funds and sponsored a resolution to dissolve Mr Mavankeni’s committee. Councillors later adopted the resolution after heated debate and it now awaits implementation. Town clerk Mr Maxwell Kaitano is also said to be fighting in Mr Mavankeni’s corner, together with the mayor Clr Test Michaels and Clr Ignatius Zvigadza.
“We passed a resolution to dissolve the committee over many allegations, including swindling of funds for the past four years. Over the past four years, there were no financial reports presented to council, but to our surprise, the mayor allowed the same culprits to organise this year’s event,” said one of the councillors who declined to be identified.
In an interview, Cllr Michaels confirmed that there was some infighting within council over the Mayor’s Christmas Cheer Fund.
“There is no misappropriation of funds by the Mavankeni-led team, but it is just mere politics at play. Yes, we passed a resolution of dissolving the committee and resolved to select a new team. However, it was pointless to dissolve the team as they had already started doing this year’s preparations. These people just want to make a decision out of anger,” he said.
Mr Mavankeni said the funds were administered directly from council.
“As a committee, we do not have access to the money. It is only signed for by council officials. It is just organisational politics by detractors who are trying to tarnish my good reputation in the society,” he said.
Mr Kaitano lashed out at some councillors, who are accusing Mr Mavankeni of impropriety.
“All the council money is signed for by signatories of which Mavankeni is not one of them. For people to say he misappropriated funds is a display of a misinformed decision,” he said.
Online Reporter