…Council in corruption storm
MARTIN MAWAYA
GOKWE-Gokwe Town Council has suspended five employees without benefits for stealing council building materials worth more US$1 100.
Smart Mafuvadze (55), Munashe Chuma (52), Earnest Murinda (53), Munyaradzi Majojo (37) and Admire Ziyapunya (39) have since been convicted by Gokwe Magistrate, Honest Musiiwa.
The five stole 1000 standard bricks, 2 rolls diamond mesh wire, 14 second hand window frames, 4 round poles and 8 gum poles.
According to the documents in possession of The Midweek Watch, Mafuvadze was sentenced for 760 hours while the other four will do a community service for 380 hours.
However, the suspended employees who are scheduled to appear before a disciplinary committee on a date to be announced also implicated some unknown top management officials in the embezzlement of Council properties.
The detailed report further allege that the matter is now straining relations between councilors and management.
It is alleged that some councillors and managers intend to move a motion to pardon the convicted employees and giving them final warnings.
The leaked report also alleges that, “the acting Town Secretary is being extremist as he is the one accused of pushing for the five employees dismissals”.
It is believed that Alexander Nyandoro wanted the employees to be fired for stealing from the local authority.
A councillor who refused to be named said “Nyandoro once said the only appropriate sentence for people who steal from government and public institutions is death sentence”.
Investigations by this reporter revealed that the case has reached a boiling point as some councillors are baying for Nyandoro’ s head accusing him for corrupt activities at the local authority.
When this reporter called the Acting Town secretary for comment said he, “was attending a meeting and will call back” but did not do so by the time of posting.
Town Council Chairperson, Never Gwanzura confirmed the suspension of the employees and said they will soon appear before the disciplinary committee to answer to theft charges.
