SYDNEY MUBAIWA
GWERU-The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has arrested Gweru City Council acting engineer water and sewer Basil Shayamunda over allegations of corruption.
Gweru City Council Acting Town Clerk Livingston Churu contacted for a comment said commenting on the issue would jeopardize the whole investigation process.
“I cannot comment on this issue today because this would jeopardize the whole investigation process. The matter is still under investigation and the department involved is on it,” he said.
It is alleged that Shayamunda received a residential stand from a land developer in Hertfordshire phase 2 in Gweru.
The residential stand in question was allegedly given to the accused person by the land developer in exchange for favorable treatment in the approval of its water and sewer development projects.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has instituted an investigation into the conduct of Gweru City councillors and senior management over allegations of mismanagement and abuse of office.
The Minister of Local Government and Public Works Daniel Garwe appointed Ms .K Ncube, Chief Director of Local Authorities, as the chairperson of an investigation team to probe the local authority.
“In terms of Section 311 (1) of the Urban Council Act (Chapter 29:15) ,I hereby appoint you as a Chairperson of an investigation team to look into allegations of mismanagement and abuse of office leveled against policymakers and management of Gweru City Council,” reads part of the letter of their appoinment.
The team is set to establish whether the local authority had implemented recommendations in the Ministry’s land audit of 2019 and to probe the council over alleged use of Estate Funds to purchase vehicles for council officials in 2024.
The team is also going to establish the alleged conversion of the aerodrome land to personal use by Mayor Cllr Martin Chivhoko and to verify the conditions behind the Go-Beer deal between the local authority and its new partners.
The probe team is also going to look into other issues related to service delivery and write recommendations on the findings to the minister.
