Online Reporter
Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Check Point Desk
PETER DUBE (57), a senior manager in the Bulawayo City Council’s (BCC) Fire and Ambulance Services Department, was further remanded to June 18 on Friday, facing fraud charges related to the alleged misappropriation of nearly 7 000 litres of diesel.
He appeared before Magistrate Shepherd Munjanja at the Tredgold Building Magistrates’ Court.
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) arrested Dube last month on 107 counts of fraud, involving the theft of 6 978 litres of diesel, valued at over US$10 000, between August 2022 and November 2024.
Investigations by Zacc revealed that Dube, who was allocated a Toyota Land Cruiser command vehicle, allegedly exploited his access to council fuel depots by refuelling at two different points on the same day. He would reportedly fill the vehicle at the Khami Stores fuel depot, drain the fuel, and then proceed to the Famona fuel pump where he would falsely claim not to have fuelled earlier. His subordinates, unaware of the deception, would then refuel the vehicle again.
The alleged fraud came to light following an investigation that included interviews with fuel attendants, examination of fuel allocation records, vehicle logbooks, and an audit commissioned by the BCC.
Between August 2022 and November 2024, Dube is alleged to have repeated this process 107 times, drawing between 50 and 100 litres of diesel per visit, depending on the need to refill his vehicle’s dual tanks. To conceal the scam, he reportedly claimed the vehicle’s odometer was not functional, preventing fuel attendants from verifying the distance travelled since the last refuelling. The alleged scheme resulted in a total financial prejudice of US$10 187.88 to the city council.
As part of his bail conditions, Dube was ordered to report once a week to the nearest police station, refrain from interfering with witnesses, and continue residing at his stated address. He has since been suspended from his duties pending the outcome of the court proceedings.
The case has sparked renewed public scrutiny over the use of public resources in local government, particularly in urban centres where residents have long complained about deteriorating service delivery, including erratic refuse collection, burst sewer pipes, and water rationing. Fuel allocations for essential services such as fire and ambulance response are critical to effective council operations. The alleged theft of fuel from a vital emergency response unit raises serious concerns about the adequacy of internal controls and oversight within council departments.
Recent Zacc reports have identified fuel theft, abuse of procurement procedures, and payroll fraud as some of the most prevalent corruption challenges affecting local authorities across the country. In March this year, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works directed all councils to tighten internal controls and implement biometric attendance systems to curb ghost workers and other forms of administrative fraud.
Bulawayo Mayor, Councillor David Coltart, who had previously pledged to make the local authority’s internal investigations public, stated he would now await the court’s ruling.
“I’ve consulted management and I’m advised that the matter is still before the courts and awaiting trial. In the circumstances, because the matter is subjudice (still before the courts), I cannot comment further at this stage,” said Councillor Coltart.
Investigations and actions need to go higher up the chain. Including why some have overstayed there constitutional period!