Thelma Wandayi
GWERU – The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption commission is set to descend on Gweru City Council after City fathers and current management decided to open doors for further investigations following suspension of two senior officials in a short space of time.
The council has to date suspended Town Clerk Elizabeth Gwatipedza and Estates and valuations officer on several charges including gross abuse of office.
A can of worms opened following a forensic land audit report by the parent Ministry and singled out the need for council to take disciplinary action of the Estates and Valuations officer Gibson Chingwadza.
The series of suspensions saw the resignation of council engineer who said he was set to move from the local authority to seek greener pastures though council insiders say he had gotten wind that he was the next victim following his presence in under hand deals involving purchase of a front end loader and other requisitions that directly implicated his office.
City of Gweru public relations officer Vimbai Chingwaramusee confirmed the development and said ZAAC is set to investigate both suspended officers and any other emerging corruption case.
“ZAAC will come to investigate suspended employees and general operations at council. Council has sent the forensic land audit report to ZAAC,” Chingwaramusee said.
Councilors have been accused by social circles for taking action to suspend top officials on partisan lines though Mayor Josiah Makombe has openly said they are simply following government audit recommendations following the audit.
On the other hand, Zimbabweans have criticized ZAAC to be a toothless bulldog following its failure to make no tangible arrest since its establishment though the watchdog body has of late given an excuse that it is snowed under corruption cases under investigation.
