Staff Reporter
The Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) councilors in Harare have been accused of illegally selling council graves in order to enrich themselves, the Harare Post has learnt.
In a statement yesterday, the Harare Metropolitan Province Secretary for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Tafadzwa Muguti said that an investigation would be launched soon to unearth corrupt activities currently happening at Harare’s local authorities.
“It has come to our attention that there are some local authorities in our province who are involved in the illegal parceling out of graves to councilors who in turn change exorbitant fees amounting between USD500 to USD600. What is saddening is that the local authority is not selling graves to the people but instead to the councilors who would sell these graves for their personal gain. This is revenue leakage which deters service delivery in local authorities. As Harare Metropolitan Province, we strive to provide excellent services delivery to the people,” Muguti said.
Muguti further added that an integrity committee would be established in Harare in order to tackle corrupt activities.
“Integrity committees are going to be set to deal with corruption. An integrity committee is established in an organization to combat corruption from within the organisations’ spheres of influence. It is responsible for the institution’s ethics and compliance matters to promote transparency and minimize opportunities for corruption,” Muguti remarked.
According to Muguti, Government has declared zero tolerance to corruption in all local authorities and was going to investigate all tender deals by local authorities in Harare.
Meanwhile, the High Court this month convicted Harare City Council Finance Director, Stanley Ndemera and Chamber Secretary, Charles Kandemiri on charges of criminal abuse of office. Ndemera and Kandemiri were charged alongside former Harare Mayor, Hebert Gomba and Town Clerk, Hosea Chisango, who were acquitted on the same charges.
Ndemera and Kandemiri were found guilty of abuse of office as they sold council land in Mt Pleasant without following due procedure.
