adminseekers.
The underhand dealings reportedly resulted in the cash-strapped council losing tens of thousands of dollars in revenue.
This prompted Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo to set up a team to probe the MDC-T run council.
Masvingo provincial administrator Mr Felix Chikovo yesterday confirmed the investigation.
“We had received complaints of widespread corrupt activities by the councillors and senior council officials. Allegations against the councillors are centred on disposal of residential stands while some senior officials are alleged to have abused council funds.”
Once investigations are complete, the probe team will hand over a report on their findings to Minister Chombo for determination.
Mr Chikovo said they recommended the invesitigation into the operations of Chiredzi town council to the minister following reports of incessant corruption at the council.
Chiredzi has eight wards, six of which are represented by MDC-T councillors while one is represented by a Zanu-PF councillor with the other ward vacant. It is alleged that Chiredzi town councillors allegedly parcelled among themselves serviced residential stands in the Makondo area under Tshovani township extension.
The councillors would allegedly buy several stands from council for about US$500 per high-density stand and then resell them for over US$2500 each.
It is also alleged that the same councillors also abused their positions selling among themselves medium density and low density stands for US$1 500 and US$2 000 respectively.
They would in turn dispose of the stands for about US$4 000 and US$6 000 respectively.
Most residents felt betrayed by the council and petitioned government over the alleged corruption resulting in the investigation.
Most MDC-T run urban councils have been rocked by corruption allegations to the detriment of service delivery.
The party recently fired 12 councillors countrywide after they were fingered in corruption.
Service delivery in most urban centres run by MDC-T councillors has plummeted courting the ire of ratepayers.
Online Reporter