COUNCILLORS at Runde Rural District Council in Zvishavane, Midlands, have petitioned the district development coordinator (DDC) over abuse of funds and equipment at the local authority.
In a petition dated July 9 addressed to the district development coordinator, the councillors said there was mismanagement of funds, machinery and equipment as well as service delivery by the chief executive (CEO), Gorden Moyo.
The councillors queried the lack of completion of a number of projects which were started several years ago and the amounts spent on them.
“We, on several occasions, tried to raise these issues in council meetings but were turned down by the chairperson in concert with the CEO, based on procedure,” they said.
“Therefore, we remain concerned as the mismanagement and abuse continued. That is why we are now directing these matters to you.
“It is unfortunate that these very misnomers got to the provincial minister when we were still gathering more evidence before submitting the same to you.”
The councillors said funds from mining companies such as Mimosa, Murowa and Sabi were being used for salary payment instead of financing development.
“This means only those on council payroll are benefiting from these funds at the expense of development, rendering the government policy on service delivery and devolution a nullity,” the petition read.
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“The sale of commercial and any other big stands, thereof, is the preserve of the CEO, who solely negotiates and seals deals on behalf of council.
“There is no transparency in the sale of commercial and big stands, leaving glaring room for corruption and underhand dealings,” they said.
The councillors said the CEO undertook an all-expenses-paid trip to Russia, without council approval, adding that the trip was not budgeted for or mandatory.
“Notably, the CEO withdrew US$9 000, a heavily inflated figure from the US$4 000 that was indicated as the budget for the trip.
“This means US$5 000 was pocketed by the CEO who never brought back any receipts to support expenditure as per the norm.
The council procurement system is not in sync with the government's statutory requirements. There is abuse of this system, resulting in council losing money to the benefit of those responsible for procurement.
“It's never reported to any committee of council for transparency. For example, council buys second-hand vehicles without going to tender.”
The councillors said the second-hand vehicles did not have independent inspection certification or even council engineer's inspection, and were very expensive to run and maintain.
“Notably, the scale of hiring is in favour of Zvishavane Town Council as they find it cheap to use our equipment as the charges are only negotiated by the CEO and line managers, leaving out the councillors and the finance director. This again leaves glaring room for corruption and individual benefit.
“Not surprisingly, one finance director resigned, citíng this anomaly which had resulted in a lot of friction with the CEO. In 2021, the CEO gifted himself (for free) a council vehicle instead of paying at book value as per agreement, despite getting a vehicle loan of US$8 000 from council.
“The CEO went on to receive yet another council vehicle, a GD6 Toyota Fortuner. Every quarter, all council employees are paid at least US$1 600 for school fees, an equivalent of US$400 a month, a figure we feel is very high.”
The councillors said the Siboza residential contract was renewed to phase 2 without council agreement.
They also bemoaned lack of management of council properties, including the Siboza, Mabasa, Ingezi, Zvegona and beer halls.
Moyo said: “I do not think that I can comment on the document since it was directed to the district development coordinator. I can only comment on issues directed to me.”
