$8,749,914 worth of BCC tenders tainted by serious irregularities

The Affirmative Action Group yesterday alleged that $8,749,914 worth of BCC tenders were tainted by serious irregularities due to massive corruption, nepotism, negligence through collusion of Bulawayo City Council officials.

The AAG yesterday welcomed the suspension of five local councillors including the deputy mayor councillor Gift Banda on corruption allegations.

On Tuesday, the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Saviour Kasukuwere suspended Clr Banda and four others Charles Moyo (Ward nine), Mzama Dube (Ward 25), Reuben Matengu (Ward 21) and James Sithole (Ward seven).

According to the chronicle, the AAG vice-president Mr Sam Ncube said the suspension of some city fathers confirms that the concerns they have been raising as an organisation about corruption at the Bulawayo City Council were not misplaced.

"From an organisation point of view there is no smoke without fire. When we were talking about these things people thought we hated some people but we don't hate anyone. We're only representing our constituency. We've to do things the right way. We need to protect Bulawayo," he said.

"For example, a tender for rehabilitation of filter beds and clarifiers to Tzicalle Brothers had been officially awarded to Consolidated Engineers and Merchants (CEM), at a cost of $4,5 million. The previous contractor, that is CEM was paid the money but did no work, only for the same tender to be awarded to Tzicalle Brothers at a cost of $2,5 million. The net effect of this corruption and negligence is that in the last five years Bulawayo water has remained brownish and not safe for consumption," AAG said.

Last year the AAG asked Kasukuwere to suspend Clr Banda following his land deals.