OUTGOING Chitungwiza acting mayor Kelvin Mutimbanyoka has claimed that he transformed the local municipality status by clearing the 47-month salary backlog and improving service delivery.
Mutimbanyoka told journalists in Chitungwiza this week that he weeded out corruption and introduced new work ethics during his term after succeeding former mayor Lovemore Maiko who was recalled by the MDC-T.
“I want people to appreciate where we are coming from as Chitungwiza Municipality. l joined council in 2018 as a councillor and in August 2021, l was elevated to the office of the deputy mayor. I then became the (acting) mayor of this town and that is when most of the transformation happened at the council. When I became the [acting] mayor for sure it was all chaos. Workers were not being paid, nothing was happening in-terms of service delivery, obviously councillors have been messing around,” he said.
Mutimbanyoka admitted that there is rampant corruption at the local authority.
“When l got into this office, the first thing l had to tackle was corruption and land was being sold out of council business. We cautioned the people against being hoodwinked by land barons. l stopped that chaos and council took over its responsibility. We had a problem with our workers. We had so many ghost workers. Workers had salary arrears going as far as 47 months, we cleared the 47 months’ salary backlog, as we speak,” Mutimbanyoka said.
“They are getting the 30 percent of their salaries in US$. We decided to set the target for all the managers: every head of department needed to account for everything they were doing. The work culture and ethic are impressive. Our people are working, and the service delivery is being given to the people.”
He added that the African Development Bank donated US$1,8 million with most of the money going towards the purchasing of sewer pipes.
The local municipality has already improved the sewer, drainage system and restoration of the tower lights.
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“We have since bought two tipper trucks, a grader and a compactor roller. We also bought a backhoe and we have computerised all the departments,” Mutimbanyoka said.
“I have been in office for just one year and l have achieved all these things. So, this is no easy feat, we have been working hard for our people what if l am given five years, you will see wonders.”
