Council corruption probe looms

Michael Magoronga, Midlands Correspondent
GOVERNMENT is set to launch an investigation into a raft of corruption allegations reportedly taking place at Gokwe Town Council.

The probe follows a report released by an independent body, The Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA), which alleged that Gokwe Town Council management and some councilors are involved in corrupt deals.

Among a raft of allegations raised in the report dated 31 January 2023, include a claim that the local authority allegedly awarded a tender to a Harare company to supply gravel and pit-sand all the way from the capital city, yet it is there in Gokwe.

“Gokwe Town Council awarded a tender to a supplier that transported river and pit-sand from Harare to Gokwe for the construction of craft and market stalls. This is despite the fact that the town has a lot of good quality river and pit-sand at its disposal which could have easily been accessed for the construction work,” read the report.

The local authority also reportedly inflated laptop prices which were purchased for the IT and Civil Engineering departments.

“There is evidence of gross inflation of laptop prices. Two laptops were bought for US$3000 each. The management is said to be protecting the culprits in this case,” read the report.

A council official was said to have received US$45 000 compensation for using his personal vehicle for council business before getting an official council vehicle.

The Director of Communications in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Mr Gabriel Masvora confirmed receiving the report and said the Ministry will come up with a position after making its own investigations.

“The Department of Local Authority is looking into the report. What we do is that if there are complaints raised by organisations or commissions, as Government, we also carry out our own investigations so that we can be able to comment from an informed position. So, we will be able to comment after we carry out our own investigations,” said Mr Masvora.

Acting Town Clerk, Mr Alexander Nyandoro dismissed the corruption allegations.
“Most of these issues are recycled issues that happened way back and have since been addressed,” said Mr Nyandoro.