Residents 'Uncover' Massive Salary Scam in Chitungwiza Council
Councillors allegedly connived with the Town Clerk to approve a salary increment for the entire council management backdated to September 2012.
WASHINGTON — The Chitungwiza Residents’ Trust says it is in possession of a local authority document showing massive fraudulent activities in the town. It says the document, which was signed by three councillors and the local authority boss, shows that the Town Clerk, George Makunde, as at September 2012, earned a basic monthly salary of US$10,000 and US$2,500 in monthly allowances for entertainment, non-practicing and housing. The trio, who are councillors voted into office on July 31 last year, allegedly connived with the Town Clerk in February this year to approve a salary increment for the entire council management backdated to September 2012. The Chitungwiza Residents’ Trust says this was done in violation of the Urban Councils' Act which requires approval by the minister responsible for the administration of the Labour Relations Act. It says those involved are council committee chairpersons, Musekiwa Ruzvidzo (Finance), and Tichaona Muchakwa (General Purpose), the mayor Phillip Mutoti and Makunde, who signed the salary increment approval document. “It is against this background that our research team is seized with this matter and investigations into this potential salary scam are at an advanced stage. We have been all along following the developments at the Town House with interest and seeking legal advice from our lawyers. “When a team from Chitrest ((Chitungwiza Residents Trust) appeared before the parliamentary portfolio committee on Local Government on the 9th of April this year, it did not raise this issue since investigations on this matter were still in their initial stages. This matter was earlier this year reported to the police by the council workers' union leadership. As soon as Chitrest concludes its investigations, it will approach the concerned council officials for clarifications and subsequently report the matter to the police. Ruzvidzo, Muchakwa, Mutoti and Makunde were not available for comment.