Hwedza Rural District Council chief executive officer John Kundeya has been suspended over allegations of corruption and abuse of office.
BY Staff Reporter
The move follows complaints by residents who bemoaned poor service delivery in the district despite the council collecting revenue regularly.
A team comprising Mashonaland East Resident minister David Musabayana, a representative from the provincial administration and district administrator Kenneth Shumba met councillors before agreeing to appoint a commission of inquiry.
Speaking during a full council meeting held at the council chambers recently, human resources committee chairperson George Chitsaka confirmed Kundeya’s suspension. “We heard the eight grievances from all the three committees and we had to engage other stakeholders for guidance. As councillors, as policymakers and as employer, we have resolved that our concerns be looked into by other relevant authorities. The resolution is that as we pave way for investigations, the CEO has been sent on forced leave with full benefits. There are reservations of the vehicle he was using, it will remain with the council,” he said.
Chitsaka added that the line ministry is expected to establish a commission of inquiry to investigate the allegations.
Jeremiah Bako has been appointed acting CEO.
It was also discussed during the meeting that Kundeya allegedly tried to dispose some of the files in a bid to disrupt investigations after learning of his fate. The files are currently with the district administrator.
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During the full council meeting, NewsDay witnessed an incident in which one of the council workers was disposing more files into a pit before the residents and ratepayers present retrieved them.
The files were given to Musabayana, who then directed the district administrator to keep them.
Kundeya, a former Seke district administrator, is accused of not prioritising service delivery in the fast-growing area, as well as abusing council funds through fuel and vehicle repairs as he resides in Seke.
Other allegations include flouting tender procedures for his own benefit, as well as failing to come up with developmental projects in the area.
