KWEKWE – Councillors have accused mayor Shadreck Tobaiwa of protecting a councillor accused of duping home seekers in bogus land deals.
Councillor Aaron Gwalazimba on Friday moved a motion at a full council meeting calling for Councillor Johannes Ngodzo to step down from chairing the local authority’s housing committee until his case was finalised.
Ngodzo was arrested last year for allegedly duping home seekers in deals involving $10 000.
But he continues to attend to council business much to the chagrin of other MDC-T councillors.
“The Urban Councils Act is clear on how we should deal with councillors who are facing charges of corruption in relation to their office or council property,” Gwalazimba argued.
“But surprisingly Ngozo here continues to chair a committee, which he corruptly abused when he allegedly duped desperate home seekers of over $10 000.”
Councillor Aaron Sithole accused Tobaiwa of protecting Ngodzo. Ngozo, Gwalazimba and Councillor Weston Masiya exchanged harsh words during the debate.
“Mayor, you should start discharging your duties without favour because at every turn you are supporting Ngozo and that is dividing this council,” Gwalazimba said during the heated debate.
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Meanwhile, the Kwekwe Residents’ and Ratepayers’ Development Association wrote to Local Government, Rural and Urban Development minister Ignatius Chombo asking him to intervene in the case.
“Councillor Ngozo, who chairs the housing committee, faces serious allegations of fraud and abuse of office,” the association wrote.
“But to our surprise he continues to chair the committee and represent the local authority without any censure.
“We, therefore, appeal to the minister to intervene in terms of section 114 of the Urban Councils Act,” the residents complained.
