Harare to act on corrupt officers

Municipal Reporter
Harare City Council is losing revenue to its traffic officers who are allegedly soliciting for bribes in return for the release of impounded vehicles.
The officers allegedly pose as councillors when committing the crime.
The city’s Human Resources and General Purposes Committee has since instructed town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi to investigate the matter.

“Under matters for which the chairperson’s consent had been obtained, the attention of the committee was drawn to alleged soliciting for bribes in return for the fraudulent release of impounded vehicle by some officers of the Harare Traffic Division from arrested traffic by-law offenders,” read minutes of the committee.

“The committee was concerned that council could have been prejudiced of considerable amounts of money through the scam. The committee also noted with serious concern that such offenders reportedly impersonated councillors, thereby tarnishing the image of Harare City councillors.”

The committee resolved that Dr Mahachi institute investigations into the allegations and report its findings to the audit committee.
Last month, seven Harare municipal traffic enforcement officers were arrested on allegations of illegally releasing impounded vehicles and demanding bribes from motorists.

A video surveillance investigation was instituted by Dr Mahachi’s office resulting in the arrest of the suspects.
Dr Mahachi said they did not condone corruption and would continue their drive to remove “all bad apples” from the council.
He said the latest developments were part of the city’s anti-graft drive where they wanted to promote a culture of transparency and accountability within their officers.

The council increased clamping and tow-away fees for illegally parked vehicles and those that violated the city’s traffic regulations from US$112 to US$423 in the 2014 budget.

The proposal was passed by the council and now awaits approval by the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Dr Ignatius Chombo.

The city is expecting to raise US$5,4 million from clamping and towing out of its projected US$364 million 2014 budget and to increase its tow-away fleet to 20 vehicles for efficiency and effectiveness in the clampdown on traffic offenders.