News / Local
Chamisa's MDC alleges witch-hunt in graft probe
06 Oct 2020 at 07:12hrs | Views
THE MDC Alliance Bulawayo province has alleged a witch-hunt by political foes using the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (Zacc) to target its councillors on accusations of being corrupt.
Zacc is investigating reports of graft against MDC Alliance councillors, Bulawayo City Council officials and management, particularly on issues relating to allocation and sale of housing stands.
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) leadership and other civic society organisations have been vocal over alleged unprocedural parcelling out of council land.
MDC Alliance Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza said while the party did not condone corruption, it viewed the investigations with suspicion.
"However, at this moment, it is difficult for us to avoid suspecting a witch-hunt since the Zanu-PF Lacoste faction and (Thokozani) Khup's MDC-T seem to be cosy in their political bed," Chirowodza said yesterday.
Khupe recently recalled eight MDC Alliance Bulawayo councillors for questioning her legitimacy after the Supreme Court in March endorsed her as the acting opposition leader.
MDC Alliance followers have labelled Khupe a Zanu-PF project, a claim that she denies. Zanu-PF also denies the charges.
Zacc spokesperson John Makamure yesterday could not reveal the extent of the investigations when contacted for comment.
"We cannot reveal details now because investigations are currently underway. We have a team currently at Bulawayo which is doing investigations," Makamure told Southern Eye.
"They are meeting witnesses and going through documents which have been presented as evidence. But there is really nothing new for now...," he said
Zacc is investigating reports of graft against MDC Alliance councillors, Bulawayo City Council officials and management, particularly on issues relating to allocation and sale of housing stands.
The Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association (BPRA) leadership and other civic society organisations have been vocal over alleged unprocedural parcelling out of council land.
MDC Alliance Bulawayo spokesperson Swithern Chirowodza said while the party did not condone corruption, it viewed the investigations with suspicion.
"However, at this moment, it is difficult for us to avoid suspecting a witch-hunt since the Zanu-PF Lacoste faction and (Thokozani) Khup's MDC-T seem to be cosy in their political bed," Chirowodza said yesterday.
Khupe recently recalled eight MDC Alliance Bulawayo councillors for questioning her legitimacy after the Supreme Court in March endorsed her as the acting opposition leader.
MDC Alliance followers have labelled Khupe a Zanu-PF project, a claim that she denies. Zanu-PF also denies the charges.
Zacc spokesperson John Makamure yesterday could not reveal the extent of the investigations when contacted for comment.
"We cannot reveal details now because investigations are currently underway. We have a team currently at Bulawayo which is doing investigations," Makamure told Southern Eye.
"They are meeting witnesses and going through documents which have been presented as evidence. But there is really nothing new for now...," he said
Source - newsday
