News / National
Government to dissolve local authorities accused of corruption
26 Apr 2015 at 08:51hrs | Views
Government will soon dissolve most local authorities and introduce task commissions to run them as it unearthed a massive scandal in which they have not been remitting more than $500 million in taxes, pension and medical aid contributions.
The bulk of the urban councils fingered as major culprits are owing Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Pension Fund and Medical Aid amounts running into several millions of dollars
According to Sunday Mail, Harare City Council owes funds close to $184 million, Bulawayo is in arrears of at least $85,5 million while Chitungwiza's debt stands at $47,6 million.
Other local authority that have not been meeting their obligations include Kwekwe ($15 million), Redcliff ($8 million), Marondera ($3,8 million), Mutare ($6 million), Rusape ($6 million), Masvingo ($2 million), Victoria Falls ($6 million), Gwanda ($9 million), Kadoma ($10 million), Chinhoyi ($11 million), Chegutu ($5 million) Kariba ($6 million) and Norton ($4 million).
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing secretary, Engineer George Mlilo told the publication that Government would soon descend on the implicated councils.
"We are aware that most of our councils have not been remitting money they would have deducted from the employees. You would find that this thing has been going on for a long time and we have put a stop to it. We are going to act," he said.
"If they are not paying NSSA, pension fund or medical aid what happens when an employee has problems?
"As a ministry, we are empowered to act in terms of the law. People are going to be fired and councils will be dissolved if they do not pay up. We will simply appoint commissions to serve the people and improve service delivery," he said.
The bulk of the urban councils fingered as major culprits are owing Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (Zimra), National Social Security Authority (NSSA), Pension Fund and Medical Aid amounts running into several millions of dollars
According to Sunday Mail, Harare City Council owes funds close to $184 million, Bulawayo is in arrears of at least $85,5 million while Chitungwiza's debt stands at $47,6 million.
Other local authority that have not been meeting their obligations include Kwekwe ($15 million), Redcliff ($8 million), Marondera ($3,8 million), Mutare ($6 million), Rusape ($6 million), Masvingo ($2 million), Victoria Falls ($6 million), Gwanda ($9 million), Kadoma ($10 million), Chinhoyi ($11 million), Chegutu ($5 million) Kariba ($6 million) and Norton ($4 million).
"We are aware that most of our councils have not been remitting money they would have deducted from the employees. You would find that this thing has been going on for a long time and we have put a stop to it. We are going to act," he said.
"If they are not paying NSSA, pension fund or medical aid what happens when an employee has problems?
"As a ministry, we are empowered to act in terms of the law. People are going to be fired and councils will be dissolved if they do not pay up. We will simply appoint commissions to serve the people and improve service delivery," he said.
Source - Sunday Mail
