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The Government dispatched an investigation team into the city following allegations of shady dealings by some councillors and officials. The allegations were raised by the residents.
In an interview on the sidelines of the installation of Chief Tategulu in Tsholotsho District last Friday, the Minister of Local Government, Urban and Rural Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo said a team that came to investigate the council two months ago had made recommendations which will be implemented this week.
“The probe team made some recommendations although I cannot give them off-hand. We accepted the recommendations, which will be implemented next week,” said Dr Chombo.
“The committee would look at whether to fire, suspend or caution those councillors who would be found to have abused their powers and disadvantaged residents. It is possible that one or two councillors might be suspended.”
Minister Chombo said at least five councillors from Chitungwiza City Council were suspended last week on allegations similar to the ones faced by their counterparts in Bulawayo after complaints by residents, which prompted investigations by the Government.
He said those implicated will be given an opportunity to defend themselves and if found guilty they will face the wrath of the law.
“We know those allegations raised by people are happening where councillors get stands and sell them under trees at inflated prices, that is abuse of office. They will have a chance to defend themselves if they can,” the Minister said.
“If there are people in Bulawayo who took stands from deserving people, we are going to give them back to the deserving beneficiaries and take disciplinary action against perpetrators.”
He said even if it was a council resolution to take away stands from poor deserving residents, the Government will not hesitate to take measures.
“If it is a council resolution we will see. This is quite straightforward, instead stands or such houses should be given for free to residents because they would have been paid for about 40 years only for the councillors to take them away and go on to pass a resolution in their favour.
“We are working on that, people sometimes have nowhere to go which is why they approached the Government. If those allegations are true, we will reverse the council decision and warn or punish those involved,” said Minister Chombo.
The MDC administered urban councils have in the past come under fire on allegations of abuse of office and ratepayers’ money.
However, such councils have maintained that the allegations together with the plans to include special councillors were machinations of Zanu-PF trying to push its way in and destabilise them.
On special councillors, Minister Chombo said Bulawayo would get special councillors whether the city fathers liked it or not.
He said the councillors had proved that they were incapable hence the need to include special personnel to save the city from collapse.
“We have been given names of candidates for special councillors. This is not about how they feel about it, that is my business as a minister to make sure cities are run professionally and transparently and whether they like it or not they will have them because it is not a matter of choice,” said Minister Chombo.
“Special councillors would bring a skill that is lacking in the councillors. If there are councillors who cannot read a financial statement convincingly, we are going to bring in knowledgeable people because we cannot allow technically illiterate people to continue running the city.”
Online Reporter