The Financial Gazette

TOP STORIES

 Levi Mukarati, Senior Political Reporter

THE Movement for Democratic Change (MDC-T) is planning to expel its councillors in Kadoma and Bindura municipalities after a party-sponsored probe implicated them in acts of corruption.

The investigations into MDC-T run councils were led by the party’s deputy secretary general, Tapiwa Mashakada, who has since compiled a damning report to be tabled soon at the party’s national council meeting.

Last month, the MDC-T sacked 23 of its councillors in Chitungwiza on allegations of corruption.

The councillors were accused of allocating themselves residential and industrial stands in violation of rules of conduct by elected local authority officials.

Mashakada confirmed that he had finished compiling the report, but could not divulge the details.

“We have finished a report on Bindura and Kadoma. I cannot say much because I am attending a funeral in Masvingo. Besides, we have to meet as the national council to endorse our recommended action against the councillors,” Mashakada said.

“Once they are endorsed then we will go on to implement them. As a team, we have made our recommendations, but they can only be made public after the council considers them first.”

Sources told The Financial Gazette this week that the probe unearthed massive corruption involving party councillors.

“A preliminary report has been concluded and shows corruption is rampant in all MDC-T run councils that have been investigated. The party now has its basis for conducting thorough investigations in each urban council. The party will take action against most councillors in Bindura and Kadoma where massive corruption has been proved,” said the source.

“The report revealed the unprocedural allocation of residential stands to councillors, their friends and relatives. In Bindura almost each councillor has a residential and industrial stand, council revenue is being abused and about 57 security guards were recruited under unclear circumstances.

“In Kadoma the issue of parcelling out stands to councillors is prevalent as well as mismanagement of affairs including personal use of council vehicles,” the source added.

The MDC-T is facing a tough battle against its new councillors who are prone to greed.

Last week, three of the party's councillors in Harare were accused of clandestinely changing ownership of houses belonging to three families in the high density suburb of Highfield.

And last month, the MDC-T spokesperson, Nelson Chamisa, said the party had uncovered “very disturbing” evidence of corruption in its councils.

Chamisa said the party had adopted a code of conduct compelling its members in public office to declare their interests and assets to the party.

Corrupt activities and mismanagement of council affairs have also been reported in MDC-T led councils in Marondera, Beitbridge, Redcliff, Chegutu and Masvingo.

In February, the party suspended its United Kingdom branch executives on allegations of defrauding the MDC-T of over £57 000. The suspension was the second at its UK office after the party had sacked another executive in 2007 for misusing party funds.

The MDC-T also closed its South African branch after the members there failed to account for donated funds.

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