Councillors have case to answer — probe

Municipal Reporter
AN investigating team appointed by Local Government, Rural and Urban Development Minister Ignatius Chombo to probe allegations of dishonesty and mismanagement against Harare City councillors Warship Dumba and Casper Takura has ruled that the two have a case to answer.
According to findings of the investigating committee, which was chaired by Mashonaland West provincial administrator Mr Christopher Shumba, Dumba and Takura “fraudulently claimed mileage when it is evident they did not own the vehicles they were using to claim”.
Mr Shumba said the two councillors claimed full out-of-pocket allowances, but left well-before the end of the workshops so as to “save something to take home”.
“Upon perusal and analysis on internal control records and verification of the hotel records, Central Vehicle Registry and the Companies Registrar, the team observed that Clr Warship Dumba abused public funds.
“Clr Dumba claimed mileage from council when he had not submitted proof of ownership of the vehicle to attend the Urban Councils Association of Zimbabwe special meeting in Bulawayo,” said Mr Shumba.
On that particular trip he claimed US$651,94.
He later submitted a registration book in the name of a company known as Checkridge and allegedly claimed money for another trip to Kariba again “based on fictitious and unregistered vehicle, an Isuzu 2.8L yet he is claiming to own a BAW Leo model registration number ABP 2775.”
Mr Shumba said Clr Dumba claimed the funds and fuel without proper documentation and later produced a wrong registration book after immense pressure from council.
“The regulations are very clear that no councillor shall claim mileage unless one has produced evidence confirming ownership of a vehicle,” he said.
Clr Takura was found to have used a vehicle registration book belonging to one Mr Kamhoti.
Clr Takura does not own a vehicle.
“Disciplinary action should be instituted against Clr Dumba and Takura for their fraudulent claims from Harare City Council,” said Mr Shumba.
The two are now appearing before a board of inquiry chaired by lawyer Mr Andrew Makoni to determine the veracity of the allegations against them.
The board will either recommend reinstatement or dismissal.