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Nqobile Tshili, Chronicle Correspondent
THE Bulawayo City Council has exonerated its director of engineering services Engineer Simela Dube of underhand dealings when he awarded a tender to repair the council bulldozer.
This was revealed in the local authority’s written response to corruption allegations levelled against Engineer Dube by the Ministry of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing.
Eng Dube was accused of illegally awarding a tender to Khanyisile Enterprises which failed to repair the bulldozer thereby prejudicing council of more than $70 000.
Presenting the Government’s audit report on Bulawayo in September the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Cde Saviour Kasukuwere said Eng Dube had a case to answer regarding the bulldozer repair tender and urged councillors to act on the issue.
In the written response Town Clerk Mr Christopher Dube said Eng Dube has no case to answer.
Mr Dube said former acting Town Clerk Mrs Sikhangele Zhou also tried to charge Eng Dube for abuse of office but withdrew charges after evidence clearing him was presented.
He said Eng Dube’s case collapsed after the evidence implicated senior staffers in his department who have since been charged for the offence.
“After assessing the audit report it was noted that there is no evidence of corruption on the part of the director of engineering services in all internal audit reports. What came out loud and clear was laxity on the part of his staff members and they were charged for that. The mismanagement of the contract was committed by his staff members who are quite senior and as such were more liable,” read Mr Dube’s response.
@nqotshili
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