Kombayi, management at loggerheads

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GWERU MAYOR Hamutendi Kombayi has taken a swipe at council management for resisting proposals that all business transactions be sanctioned by the mayor saying it was nothing more than a rebellion by “corrupt” officials.

GWERU MAYOR Hamutendi Kombayi has taken a swipe at council management for resisting proposals that all business transactions be sanctioned by the mayor saying it was nothing more than a rebellion by “corrupt” officials.

STEPHEN CHADENGA OWN CORRESPONDENT

Councillors recently passed a resolution stating that council should be granted authority by the mayor and finance committee chairperson to carry out any financial transaction.

This move has, however, sparked an uproar with council officials saying this was tantamount to giving the mayor executive powers when he was merely ceremonial.

Kombayi hit back saying council management did not want elected officials getting involved in financial matters because they had “many skeletons to hide in their cupboards”.

“We are dealing with a rebellious management that resists every move aimed at ensuring that ratepayers’ money is used transparently,” Kombayi charged.

“They rush to the papers complaining that the mayor will be given executive powers by such a resolution, but the truth of the matter is that we have people who have a lot to hide, so they want to play hide and seek with council finances so that they buy posh cars for themselves.”

He said corrupt tendencies at council should be exposed and culprits held accountable.

Finance committee chairperson Albert Chirau has said there was no sinister motive about the resolution adding that it was aimed at safeguarding ratepayers’ money as well as improving transparency at every level of council operations.