THE Local Government and Public Works ministry has said the suspension of Mudzi Rural District Council chairperson Arnold Katsande is above board after he displayed “utter contempt” of investigators.
Councillors in Mudzi had accused the government of interference.
In a statement, the ministry said Katsande’s suspension followed due process and was in line with section 157 of the Rural District Councils Act.
It said the suspension followed the submission of a report by an investigation committee appointed by Local Government minister Daniel Garwe, which unearthed “serious governance and maladministration practices at the local authority”.
“In respect of the suspended chairperson, he displayed utter contempt of the investigators and wilfully refused to co-operate, whatsoever, in the course of the investigative process.
“In such instances, the ministry cannot just stand by and watch such truancy, but to take corrective action in order to preserve the integrity of local governance system,” the ministry said.
It said investigative inquiries such as the one in Mudzi were meant to assist in addressing deficiencies that would have been uncovered as part of efforts to strengthen governance systems for local authorities so that they prioritise service delivery.
According to an internal audit report dated March 12, conducted by one T Hondoyachepa, more than 30 gold mines were missing in the council database despite claims by owners that they were paying bills to council.
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“The miners were never billed and the council lost revenue amounting to US$268 275 for the period January 2022 to December 2023.
“Finance department did not bill 31 registered miners in the database, whose bills total US$385 000 for the period January 2022 to December 2023,” part of the audit report read.
