admininvolving workers in the water department and some ratepayers.
At least two employees from the revenue collection division of the city treasurer’s department have since appeared in court over the matter, while a third one is expected to appear soon.
Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda said yesterday that investigations were continuing and more evidence of the scam was being unearthed.
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“There is a scam that has just been unearthed in Harare Water following a forensic audit which was carried out by a reputable firm of chartered accountants. The investigations are well under way and will continue until all those who have dipped their hands in the cookie jar have been brought to book.”
Although Mr Masunda said the quantum of the financial prejudice had not yet been established, sources said the city was losing millions of dollars each month. Mr Masunda said evidence at hand showed that there had been collusion “among our accounting personnel and a variety of ratepayers”.
He said the “long arm of the law is taking its course, without fear or favour against those of our employees who have been implicated in the scam”.
Reports from city sources indicated that some of the officials involved in the scam had already left the country.
The sources said the city workers would issue non-computerised receipts to ratepayers and not credit the amounts to the city revenue base.
Online Reporter