News / Local
MDC-T councillors in messy tender scam
21 Jan 2017 at 05:25hrs | Views
Nine MDC-T councillors and one from Zanu PF with the Hwange Local Board have been caught up in alleged corruption as they are accused of granting a private company a tender to develop housing stands without going through the normal process.
The tender was valued at more than $1,6 million in 2009 when the crime was allegedly committed, Chronicle reported.
The councillors are Local board chairperson Cosmas Ndlovu (47) Pius Shumba (43), Salani Nkomazana (47), Leonard Dlakama (39), Robert Ndlovu (58), Joseph Kakili Munkuli (62) Absalom Kwenda (60), Dewa Kondo (48) and Chemist Bulombo Dube (79).
Wilson Maphosa aged 44 is from Zanu PF.
According to reports, the councillors were due in court Friday to answer to charges of criminal abuse of office.
However, the case was moved to February 23 as investigations are not yet complete.
According to reports based on court documents, councillors allegedly violated tender procedures as projects worth more than $10 000 are supposed to be advertised to invite bidders.
"The accused are all responsible for the running of the affairs of the Local Board.
"In 2009 the local authority wanted to develop 1 705 housing stands in Empumalanga suburb and it was resolved that the tender was going to be advertised to potential bidders," reads the court documents.
Normally, tenders above the informal tender of $10 000 for goods and services require council to invite tenders through newspaper.
Based on the report, the councillors violated the law and awarded the tender to N and S Properties on October 1, 2009, without inviting bidders.
The money was for fund road construction, putting up water and sewer reticulation pipes and meet general labour costs among other things under phase 1 to 3 of Empumalanga suburb development project.
Last December, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai admitted that his councillors, particularly in Harare, are corrupt and is considering firing them if the scourge does not stop.
His admission was seen as having vindicated Government's crackdown on several MDC-T dominated council in which Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and his predecessor Ignatious Chombo expelled some councillors from the opposition party.
Kasukuwere, once fired the entire Gweru council for corruption after an audit report revealed some irregularities.
The tender was valued at more than $1,6 million in 2009 when the crime was allegedly committed, Chronicle reported.
The councillors are Local board chairperson Cosmas Ndlovu (47) Pius Shumba (43), Salani Nkomazana (47), Leonard Dlakama (39), Robert Ndlovu (58), Joseph Kakili Munkuli (62) Absalom Kwenda (60), Dewa Kondo (48) and Chemist Bulombo Dube (79).
Wilson Maphosa aged 44 is from Zanu PF.
According to reports, the councillors were due in court Friday to answer to charges of criminal abuse of office.
However, the case was moved to February 23 as investigations are not yet complete.
According to reports based on court documents, councillors allegedly violated tender procedures as projects worth more than $10 000 are supposed to be advertised to invite bidders.
"The accused are all responsible for the running of the affairs of the Local Board.
Normally, tenders above the informal tender of $10 000 for goods and services require council to invite tenders through newspaper.
Based on the report, the councillors violated the law and awarded the tender to N and S Properties on October 1, 2009, without inviting bidders.
The money was for fund road construction, putting up water and sewer reticulation pipes and meet general labour costs among other things under phase 1 to 3 of Empumalanga suburb development project.
Last December, MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai admitted that his councillors, particularly in Harare, are corrupt and is considering firing them if the scourge does not stop.
His admission was seen as having vindicated Government's crackdown on several MDC-T dominated council in which Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Saviour Kasukuwere and his predecessor Ignatious Chombo expelled some councillors from the opposition party.
Kasukuwere, once fired the entire Gweru council for corruption after an audit report revealed some irregularities.
Source - Byo24News
