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Cletus Mushanawani Mash Central Bureau
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister July Moyo has appointed a four-member investigation team to look into allegations of financial mismanagement at Bindura Municipality. The local authority is alleged to have been prejudiced of millions of dollars through underhand dealings involving the management.
The team is made up of the chairman, Mr Shumba (principal director, rural development), Mr Hungwe (director, urban local authorities), Ms Mpofu (financial advisory) and Ms Takaendesa (principal administrative officer) and is expected to start work tomorrow.
In a letter dated February 5, 2018 which this publication has a copy, Minister Moyo wrote: “I hereby in terms of Section 311 of the Urban Councils Act, Chapter 29:15 appoint the following team to look into issues of financial mismanagement: Mr C Shumba, Mr Hungwe, Ms Mpofu and Ms Takaendesa.
“The team will be guided by the following terms of reference: (i) conduct of the mayor of Bindura Municipality, councillor Innocent Zvigumbu and director of finance and administration, Mr Warurama, (ii) allegations of financial mismanagement at Bindura Municipality, (iii) issues of corporate governance at Bindura Municipality,(iv) examine the contents of the audit report on salary rationalisation and (v) to look into any other matters incidental to the allegations.”
“The investigation team will be executing its mandate from the 13th of February, 2018 and it is my expectations that the investigation will be complete within seven working days. Please take note that Bindura Municipality shall meet the full costs of this inquiry.” The issue of the audit report saw fists flying between Clr Zvigumbu and Mr Warurama during a recent council meeting and the matter is pending before the courts.
Mashonaland Central Provincial Administrator, Mr Cosmas Chiringa, Clr Zvigumbu and town clerk, Mr Shangwa Mavesera, confirmed the appointment of the investigation team. The local authority last year sold 10 commercial and heavy industrial stands which included a fire station without ministerial approval to pay off its former town clerk, Mr Mugogo who had won a labour dispute against the council.
Mr Mugogo was awarded $190 000 by the Labour Court and council resolved to sell the stands when its vehicles were about to be attached by the Deputy Sheriff. For stand numbers 1106-1108 which used to house the fire station, the council was allegedly paid $160 000, while for stand numbers 1109-1111 it was also paid $160 000.
“We agreed as council that the money left after paying Mr Mugogo’s dues will be used to build a new fire station along Trojan Road, but nothing materialised up to this day. We do not have a fire station, yet residents are being made to pay fire levy.
“We are relying on Harare Fire Brigade in the event of a fire here. As we speak the fire tenders are parked at the council house,” said Clr Chigumbu. A check by The Herald showed that the fire tenders, registration numbers ACA3027, 490-369J and 490-368H are parked at the town house.
The council’s management is alleged to have prejudiced the local authority of thousands of dollars through huge packages, while it is also alleged to have bought obsolete refuse compactors, a fire tender and an ambulance. One of the refuse compactors believed to have cost the local authority about $100 000 and ambulance are said to have never worked.
The town clerk is alleged to have bought a council house for $160 000 after he had sanctioned renovations of the property worth about $11 000. He is also alleged to have been using council electricity at his Nyamakura Farm.
Online Reporter