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IN an effort to curb corruption, and stop residents from being ripped off by bogus council officials and con artists, Harare City Council will introduce special identity cards for its workers and an anti-corruption hotline.
Following the recent conviction of a bogus Council employee, who had been masquerading as an officer in the City Estates and Valuations Department.
He attempted to swindle two unsuspecting residents of their stands.
Harare residents have implored the municipality to dig deeper into the issue.
The residents said they suspected there could be more bogus workers going around and stealing from unsuspecting residents.
Yesterday, Harare Mayor, Councillor Jacob Mafume, said they will introduce measures to curb corruption and impersonation of Council employees by criminals.
“The City of Harare is set to introduce measures which will stop criminals from ripping off unsuspecting residents of their hard-earned money,” he said.
“However, residents should know that there is no Council official who is allowed to take a bribe.
“Once that is asked of them, they should immediately alert the authorities.”
Residents said there are Council workers, who claim to be building inspectors, who only come to identify faults at buildings and demand bribes.
“There are a few of these operating as building inspectors, planners and so on, who visit building sites extracting bribes from contractors.
“They can walk in and out of Cleveland or Rowan Martin with confidence,” said Caroline Mukundi
“The City has to take drastic measures to stop corruption from within and outside the City of Harare.
“Residents are now at the mercy of these criminals masquerading as Council employees.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter