Councillors want town clerk investigated over Easipark deal

Masepe investigated over allegations of corruption at Easipark.
Councillors allege that Dr Mahachi and Mr Masepe were hiding information and were benefiting from the deal at the city’s expense.

Several councillors who took the floor during the debate on Easipark expressed anger with Dr Mahachi and Mr Masepe.
Even councillors who rarely make contributions like Clr Joyce Kariwo also spoke much to the surprise of colleagues.

Concern was largely on the finances, which EasiHold officials control.
According to available information, non-of the city officials is a signatory to the Easipark account yet the city is a 60 percent shareholder.

An official seconded by the council to Easipark to do finance and administration is being blocked to assume the duties raising fears that Easipark management has things to hide.
Mr Masepe and Dr Mahachi are the Easipark management committee but councillors feel their presence was not adding value as they denied the council information. Clr Masiye Kapare said it was surprising that the much-vaunted technical advice of the officials had landed council the bad deal.

“Why did we give EasiHold power to do finances. Where were the technical people?” he said.
The company has been operating for the past two years in Zimbabwe without the city and EasiHold signing a shareholder agreement.

For the past two years the company has not declared any dividends to council despite the daily takings.
Clr Wilton Janjasi alleged the Easipark deal was done under the carpet while Clr Kariwo said councillors had been taken on a ride in “a dead bus.”

Clr Panganayi Charumbira, said he had lost faith in the deal and called for the disbandment of Easipark to allow the city to go it alone.
Chairman of the committee, Clr Wellington Chikombo, had reported the failure by the two parties to meet the May 30, 2011 deadline by which a shareholder agreement should have been signed.
“The spirit of the joint venture is not being fully implemented. Our partner is intransigent. The partner is proposing a new joint venture,” he said.

Clr Chikombo alleged that the deal was good but council had done it with a wrong partner.
“The best situation is for us to run the parking business alone. The situation at Easipark is untenable,” he said.
Clr Julius Musevenzo alleged that whatever Mr Masepe touches become controversial.

“Where ever there is Masepe there is danger,” he said.
Clr Charity Bango said Easipark employees were not issued with payslips and were therefore not aware how much they should earn or whether there are any deductions.
Clr Herbert Gomba said against council advice, management at Easipark went ahead and paid salaries without seeking the authority of council nominees in management.