adminFrom George Maponga in Masvingo
Newly-elected MDC-T Masvingo mayor councillor Hubert Fidze is in trouble with residents for using a hired vehicle for personal errands.
The vehicle, a Mazda BT 50, was hired by Masvingo City Council from CMED for use by Clr Fidze when conducting council business. Charges are calculated against mileage.
The mayor’s driver also claims over-time whenever he works beyond normal hours, further straining council resources. This is happening at a time when council is facing cash-flow problems.
It alleged that on December 6 the mayor ordered the council driver to take him to an entertainment joint where musician Leonard Zhakata was performing. The mayor reportedly left the show the following day. Clr Fidze denied the overtime charges when contacted for comment.
“It is true that I went to Zhakata’s show with the council vehicle and the driver but I never claimed any allowance. My driver also did not claim any allowance.
“However, I must admit that there might have been a mistake on the use of the vehicle outside council business. I might have done that because of lack of knowledge since I am still new or maybe it was just an oversight on my part,’’ he said.
Masvingo town clerk Mr Adolph Gusha could not deny nor confirm that there were concerns over the mayor’s use of the council vehicle.
“I am on leave at the moment and while I might not have a full grasp of the issues obtaining on the ground with regards to the mayoral vehicle, the exact policy is that the mayor only uses the council vehicle when he is executing council duties,’’said Mr Gusha.
Masvingo City Council is hiring the mayoral vehicle from CMED after the mayoral Mercedes Benz and 17 other vehicles were attached by the Messenger of Court.
This was after council workers took their employer to court over non payment of salaries. The vehicles were attached early this year and are at the Messenger of Court’s offices pending finalisation of the case. In the meantime, council is spending an estimated US$12 000 every month hiring vehicles for critical services and use by senior managers.
Online Reporter