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Conrad Mupesa Mashonaland West Bureau
Karoi town secretary, Dr Wellington Mutikani has been suspended on allegation of directing council to release over $300 000 for the purchase of water pipes meant to divert the line that had burst last year.
He was suspended by the council chairperson, Councillor Abel Matsika in terms of the Urban Council’s Act 139 sub-section 3(a).
“I do hereby, with immediate effect, suspend you from duty with full benefits. Charges being levelled against you will be communicated in due course,” read the suspension letter which was also copied to the permanent secretary of the Local Government and Public Works Ministry, Mr Zvinechimwe Churu.
Mutikani is accused of directing the purchase of the pipes despite water service delivery being in the hands of Zimbabwe National Water Authority (ZINWA).
A bill of quantities for materials used to repair the burst pipe was paid for by council.
The main water pipe burst underneath a Champion lodge where Dr Mutikani is one of the directors, exposing corruption in the allocation of stands in the farming town as several houses were built on top of water pipes.
In his response, Dr Mutikani pledged to pay $50 000 every month towards refunding the council.
Online Reporter