by Sam Kabanda

The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has strongly warned local authorities which are undermining the ongoing investigations of cases for which councillors have been arrested. The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Zvinechimwe Churu sounded the warning in a statement he issued yesterday.

“Whilst the Court’s conditions of bail do not restrict them (arrested councillors on bail) from going back to work and resuming their normal duties, their  conditions indicate that there should not be interference with witnesses, intimidation thereof or subsequent suspension of any witnesses, and going back to work and resuming normal duties infringes upon these bail conditions,” Churu said.

The Ministry also expressed concern over some local authorities which were attempting to influence the ongoing investigations in favour of arrested councillors and executives who were out on bail.

“The Ministry has further noted a growing trend across local authorities that councillors are passing resolutions and making structural changes that would ultimately influence ongoing investigations in favour of those facing criminal charges. The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, therefore, states categorically that all councillors and senior management who interfere with ongoing investigations shall meet the full wrath of the law,” the Permanent Secretary said.

Churu emphasised the importance of good governance among local authorities since they deal with public funds paid by rate payers.

“We would like to underscore that the attainment of Vision 2030 requires well administered local authorities whose focus is on excellence in service delivery. This cannot be attained unless local authorities adopt high standards of governance with zero tolerance to corruption. This is more so considering that local authorities’ revenues are public funds derived from ratepayers as well as central Government. Government is therefore duty-bound to ensure that these resources are professionally administered in the public interest, while it continues to assist local authorities with funding and technical resources to improve service delivery," he said.

The Ministry official underscored the new dispensation’s aversion for corruption and urged local authorities to adopt good corporate governance practices.

“The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works therefore appeals to all local authorities to exercise good corporate governance and ethical conduct by not reinstating individuals who are in the midst of ongoing investigations and criminal cases,” Churu said.

Churu’s warning came against a background increasing cases of abuse of office by some councillors especially in large local authorities such as Harare. Last year a number MDC Alliance councillors and municipal executives were arrested for corruption and abuse of office. These include former mayor, Herbert Gomba, suspended Mayor, Jacob Mafume, Town Clerk, Hosiah Chisango among many others.