adminWalter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
The Masvingo City Council is mulling writing off close to 100 vehicles, including refuse collection trucks, that it recently recovered from the Messenger of Court premises in the Masvingo industrial area where they had been wasting away for close to five years.
The city’s entire vehicle fleet was attached by the courts in 2011 following a $3,5 million salaries suit pitting Masvingo City and its workers.
The vehicles were finally released early this year after council successfully appealed against the decision to attach them.
Town Clerk Mr Adolf Gusha yesterday said his council was likely going to write off the fleet as most of the vehicles were beyond repair.
“I think most of the vehicles, if not all, may no longer be operational,” said Mr Gusha.
“It is something that we should admit, we have lost a lot of money that amounts to about $200 000 as all vehicles are now down.
“We, however, have a few vehicles whose parts can be redeemed for the purpose of repairing other running vehicles.”
Mr Gusha said his council was waiting for a court determination over who should pay the fleet’s storage fees between Masvingo city and its workers who had dragged the management to court.
“As for the storage fees, the courts will determine who is supposed to pay for the expenses incurred,” he said.
Council at one time forked out $40 000 monthly to hire vehicles for its senior managers and to collect refuse after the attachment of its entire fleet by the courts.
The vehicles were hired from CMED, with refuse collection trucks being sourced from private players.
Online Reporter