News / National
Chitungwiza mayor under police guard 24-7
24 May 2012 at 04:58hrs | Views
CHITUNGWIZA mayor Alderman Philimon Chipiyo is now staying under 24-hour municipal police guard following protracted threats over his life by fellow councillors implicated in land scams, The Herald reported.
The councillors accuse Ald Chipiyo of presiding over their demise after their corrupt activities were unearthed by the Fungai Mbetsa-led resuscitation team.
Yesterday morning some of the police details guarded the entrance to his office.
Two other councillors Wendy Chiriri and Clara Makwara have received similar threats.
They are accused of backstabbing their colleagues and laying bare their corrupt activities.
The two deny the backstabbing allegations but confirmed receiving threats.
Allegations against Ald Chipiyo are that he is "working hand in glove" with the Mbetsa-team and is refusing to side with fellow councillors accused of illegally acquiring vast tracts of land.
Ald Chipiyo confirmed he was assigned municipal police security following threats to his life by fellow councillors.
However, Ald Chipiyo tried to put up a bold face declaring he was not afraid of the threats.
"I am not scared. I do not care about the threats. Sometimes the calibre of councillors we get is not conscientised that they come into council to serve the people and not themselves," he said.
This is not the first time that land scams have been exposed in Chitungwiza.
The Erica Jones commission appointed to investigate the council's operations two years ago also uncovered "dirty" land deals but the councillors were spared.
This time around the councillors â€" especially those fearing Government sanctions over alleged corrupt activities are threatening Ald Chipiyo with unspecified action.
Some even boast that Ald Chipiyo â€" one of longest serving councillors with 32 years â€" has nothing to show for his many years doing civic duties.
At least six councillors face suspension.
Some of the councillors who have been in office barely five years now have built empires that include shopping complexes, houses and have fleets of vehicles with
some having married several wives as a show of their new found wealth.
Ald Chipiyo said threats were part of hazards of the highest job in a local authority.
"I have accepted that some like and some hate you," he said.
Asked why he was not amassing wealth like his colleagues, Ald Chipiyo said honesty has always been the hallmark of his career.
"I want to leave council with clean hands. I want the next council to take over a sound system," he said.
Sources among the residents confirmed that the people were very angry with some of the councillors and are now threatening to dump them in the next elections.
The councillors accuse Ald Chipiyo of presiding over their demise after their corrupt activities were unearthed by the Fungai Mbetsa-led resuscitation team.
Yesterday morning some of the police details guarded the entrance to his office.
Two other councillors Wendy Chiriri and Clara Makwara have received similar threats.
They are accused of backstabbing their colleagues and laying bare their corrupt activities.
The two deny the backstabbing allegations but confirmed receiving threats.
Allegations against Ald Chipiyo are that he is "working hand in glove" with the Mbetsa-team and is refusing to side with fellow councillors accused of illegally acquiring vast tracts of land.
Ald Chipiyo confirmed he was assigned municipal police security following threats to his life by fellow councillors.
However, Ald Chipiyo tried to put up a bold face declaring he was not afraid of the threats.
"I am not scared. I do not care about the threats. Sometimes the calibre of councillors we get is not conscientised that they come into council to serve the people and not themselves," he said.
This is not the first time that land scams have been exposed in Chitungwiza.
The Erica Jones commission appointed to investigate the council's operations two years ago also uncovered "dirty" land deals but the councillors were spared.
This time around the councillors â€" especially those fearing Government sanctions over alleged corrupt activities are threatening Ald Chipiyo with unspecified action.
Some even boast that Ald Chipiyo â€" one of longest serving councillors with 32 years â€" has nothing to show for his many years doing civic duties.
At least six councillors face suspension.
Some of the councillors who have been in office barely five years now have built empires that include shopping complexes, houses and have fleets of vehicles with
some having married several wives as a show of their new found wealth.
Ald Chipiyo said threats were part of hazards of the highest job in a local authority.
"I have accepted that some like and some hate you," he said.
Asked why he was not amassing wealth like his colleagues, Ald Chipiyo said honesty has always been the hallmark of his career.
"I want to leave council with clean hands. I want the next council to take over a sound system," he said.
Sources among the residents confirmed that the people were very angry with some of the councillors and are now threatening to dump them in the next elections.
Source - TH
