Heads to roll after land grab probe . . . Councillors insist actions were legit

Nqobile Tshili Chronicle Correspondent
BULAWAYO councillors are walking a tight rope following the conclusion of a probe into alleged corruption that includes land grabbing in the city.

Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Permanent Secretary Engineer George Mlilo yesterday said the Ministry was in the process of analysing a commission of inquiry’s findings following complaints on alleged corruption at council.

“The investigations have been done. The commission presented their findings and we’re still in the process of analysing them,” said Eng Mlilo.

Last month, Eng Mlilo said the government started investigating BCC after residents expressed concern over land grabbing by some councillors.

Bulawayo councillors have recently come under the spotlight over alleged corruption.

They are accused of acquiring land at low prices at the expense of service delivery.

The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) raised the red flag over the rate at which councillors were allegedly grabbing land.

In April residents petitioned Parliament over the alleged graft.

In their petition they fingered Ward 7 Councillor James Sithole and Ward 9 Clr Charles Moyo who were allegedly awarded townhouse stands in Parklands suburb.

The stands involved measured 3,7 hectares and 2,3 hectares and cost $184,000 and $112,000 respectively.

Last month’s council report revealed that two councillors Lot Siziba of Ward 13 and Ward 24’s Gideon Mangena vehemently opposed a decision by other councillors to award the land to Clrs Moyo and Sithole.

They argued that the acquisition was against a Ministerial directive regarding acquisition of commercial or residential stands by councillors.

After being overruled, Clrs Siziba and Mangena requested that it be put on record that the decision was passed despite their reservations.

Other councillors including Silas Chigora, Ernest Rafomoyo, Thobani Ncube and Siboniso Khumalo said councillors have a right to acquire commercial and residential stands just like any other residents.

Deputy Mayor Gift Banda’s acquisition of land at Ascot to build town houses has also raised eyebrows.

Banda, Siziba and Mangena deny any wrongdoing, saying their acquisitions were above board.