THE five-member taskforce despatched by Local Government minister Ignatius Chombo this week to investigate a raft of alleged underhand dealings involving senior managers and councillors at Chegutu Municipality will reportedly draw huge sums of money in allowances, among other expenses, from the cash-strapped council.
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The team would gobble $15 000 in “full-board” hotel accommodation and allowances to conduct the inquiry at a time the local authority was failing to provide essential services to residents and ratepayers, sources said.
Chegutu mayor Leo Gwanzura yesterday confirmed the development.
“Indeed, the investigation team has been set up to look into allegations of mismanagement, corruption and financial imprudence perpetrated by senior managers and councillors. The move is noble. However, it is our lack of capacity to fund the probe which is of concern to us,” said Gwanzura, adding the inquiry initially proposed to take two weeks had been reduced to five days.
The mayor also raised concern over a pre-condition that had been set by the team members who demanded full payment of their allowances before commencing work.
Gwanzura said council had resisted the “arm-twisting” move due to the prevailing liquidity crisis.
“Our coffers are dry owing to low revenue collection because ratepayers are also burdened, yet this commission of inquiry wants to be blind to our predicament. We later agreed their fees would be paid as-and-when cash became available,” Gwanzura said.
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The team, led by deputy director of urban councils in Chombo’s ministry, Morgan Hungwe, started work on Tuesday and was expected to have completed work by tomorrow before tabling its findings to the minister.
The inquiry was instituted at the behest of Chegutu West MP Dexter Nduna who levelled allegations of gross maladministration bordering on corruption at Town House, among other charges.
