Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
A potentially disastrous situation was averted this week after the newly appointed Karoi Town Secretary, Mr Tongai Mandude working together with Alderman Kudakwashe Chigumo, moved swiftly to stop the auctioning of critical council equipment central to service delivery in the farming town over a US$120 000 debt.
Close sources say Mr Mandude and his team timeously negotiated with various stakeholders including the parent Ministry of Local Government and Public Works to mobilise part of the money needed to stop the auctioning of the equipment.
Property was supposed to go under the hummer on Friday after the Sheriff of the High Court attached vehicles and office equipment over a US$120 000 debt arising from salary arrears, bonuses and an unfair dismissal of former senior council employee Sibongile Mujuruki.
In a notice issued under case number HCH5675/25, Mujuruki vs Karoi Town Council, the High Court of Zimbabwe instructed Empire Auctions to conduct a live public auction at the council offices in Karoi on February 20, 2026, starting at 11:30 am.
The assets to be auctioned included several Nissan Navaras, NP200s and an Almera, a Red Lion fire truck, two FAFE tractors, a SXXSMA grader, an Escoras front-end loader, a Howo tipper truck, a champion series grader, a Nissan Traffic kombi, a Honda Fit, a Foton double cab and an ambulance.
Office furniture and equipment, such as boardroom and office desks, HP desktop computers, a reception couch and a refrigerator were also attached.
The development sent shockwaves through the farming town, with residents expressing concern that the loss of essential vehicles and equipment would cripple refuse collection, road maintenance and emergency services.
However, in a turn of events the newly appointed Karoi Town Secretary, Mandude and Ald Chigumo moved swiftly to mobilise part of the needed resources to halt the sale.
Council convened emergency deliberations and raised a substantial portion of the required funds, prompting the Sheriff to withdraw the attachment and halt the auction.
Ald Chigumo confirmed the intervention, saying the council had taken decisive steps to protect public assets.
“We could not allow key service delivery equipment such as fire engines, graders and ambulances to be auctioned. Council worked around the clock to raise part of the money and engage the relevant authorities to ensure the attachment was withdrawn,” he said.
Mr Mandude said the local authority was committed to honouring its obligations while safeguarding residents’ interests and ensuring a safe and habitable environment.
“As a responsible institution, we moved with speed to stabilise the situation. We have since made significant payments towards the debt, resulting in the withdrawal of the attachment. Our priority is to ensure uninterrupted service delivery,” he said, “adding part of the assistance came from the parent ministry.”
Mujuruki could not be contacted for comment regarding the development.
The incident has, however, exposed the financial strain facing local authorities, many of which are grappling with legacy debts, ballooning salary obligations and constrained revenue inflows.
Karoi is also expected to pay the sacked finance director and acting Town Secretary, Mr Tongai Namisala.
