ZIMBABWE Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) officials this week descended on Chinhoyi council offices demand ing invoices, receipts and memos for travelling and subsistence allowances amid reports of leakages and pilferage.
Sources said Zacc officials might have been tipped about the abuse of travelling and subsistence allowances by councillors.
“Zacc officials could have been tipped about abuse of travel and subsistence allowances at committee level that seems to be rampant in all committees,” the official said.
Council spokesperson Tichaona Mlauzi professed ignorance about the visit when contacted for comment.
Zacc spokesperson Simiso Mlevu was unreachable, but a Zacc official, who was part of the team that visited Chinhoyi council not allowed to speak to the media, confirmed the probe.
“We appeal to those who know the abuse to report to Zacc,” the official said.
In December last year, there was an uproar after mayor Owen Charuza and one of the councillors got hefty subsistence allowances to go to Saudi Arabia for a workshop, but did not make the trip.
When contacted for comment, Charuza said the investigation might have been related to other matters,, adding that he repaid the money.
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“I remember the trip to Saudi Arabia that we did not go after being given subsistence allowances, but I have since paid back the US$1 000,” he said.
Zacc is reportedly interested in allowances given to council staff and councillors for a Gweru audit workshop that was cancelled well in advance, but the accounts department processed the allowances.
Combined Chinhoyi Residents Association (CCRA) chairperson Tendayi Musonza said ratepayers were concerned about the abuse of the travelling and subsistence facility by councillors and management.
“This trend has been going on for some time and as CCRA, we are afraid that if this trend continues unchecked, it will discourage residents from paying their bills,” Musonza said.
“The whispers in the corridors are growing louder on the issue.”
A number of councils are riddled with corruption and mismanagement, where officials are said to be creaming off resources from their respective municipalities.
Recently, a commission of inquiry investigating City of Harare operations uncovered unbridled acts of corruption involving millions of United States dollars amid collapsing service delivery.
