Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo has ordered a probe into Kwekwe City Council’s finances, eight months after another investigation over allegations of looting and plunder of public resources at the local authority.
In a July 16, 2012 letter, Chombo appointed two auditors to carry out an in-depth financial audit before he could release the report produced by another probe team sent to Kwekwe in November last year.
Reads part of the letter marked x/18/23: “Investigation team appointed in November 2011 to look into allegations of mismanagement and numerous irregularities at Kwekwe council recommended an in-depth financial audit to further probe the procurement irregularities.”
The team consisting of a D Malaulo and D Ngwalo is expected to start its one-week audit on Monday next week.
Chombo is yet to release the report produced by a five-member probe team sent to Kwekwe last November, courting the ire of his deputy Sesel Zvidzai who ruled out any wrongdoing by the local authority.
“We have not had sight of that report and I don’t know why it has taken that long to release a public report, but one can obviously think that it is because there is nothing to report on that’s why it has been kept under wraps,” Zvidzai said.
However, Kwekwe Residents and Ratepayers’ Development Association secretary-general Alex Homela insisted that management at town house was not clean and could be fleecing council coffers.
“We have no faith in council management and this we have made clear to the minister (Chombo) in all meetings that we have held with him . . . the latest move to appoint an audit team is most welcome and we hope they will move with speed,” he said.
