News / National
Multi-million-dollar scandal rocks Victoria Falls council
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The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) has uncovered a massive corruption scandal involving high-ranking officials at Victoria Falls City Council, including Mayor Tuso Moyo and Town Clerk Ronnie Dube. The investigation, which reveals illegal land deals and fraudulent tenders, has sent shockwaves through the city.
The investigation, disclosed in a ZACC report dated November 4, 2024, suggests that both Moyo and Dube, along with several senior council employees, were engaged in a scheme to illegally allocate land for personal and political gain. According to ZACC intelligence officer B Mapfumo, the council has been operating outside its governing laws and regulations, with corruption rampant at multiple levels.
The scandal allegedly involves a syndicate of councillors and senior employees who orchestrated the illegal distribution of land. One key example is the controversial sale of Stand 8300, where Dube allegedly manipulated the evaluation process to favor Zambezi Properties, a shelf company formed specifically for this transaction. The company was registered on September 15, 2021, well after the council had called for tenders for the stand, raising suspicions of corruption.
Dube is further accused of creating a fraudulent list of names for residential stands, which he allegedly issued to himself, the mayor, and other officials under the pretext of "discretionary allocations." The mayor, Moyo, reportedly received 12 stands, while Dube allegedly took 15 stands. Additionally, some individuals were required to pay Dube's wife to secure eligibility for these plots.
The investigation also uncovered corruption related to a US$4.8 million tender awarded to Highshot Engineering (Pvt) Ltd for road, sewerage, and water reticulation works on the BE100 housing scheme. This tender was allegedly awarded without following proper procurement procedures, and the project was overseen by CCE (Pvt) Ltd, a company that was brought in without proper consultation. A payment of US$157,401 was made to CCE (Pvt) Ltd on the instruction of Dube, further highlighting the scale of the alleged corruption.
Mayor Tuso Moyo has since taken action by suspending Ronnie Dube from his position as town clerk over the allegations. In a letter dated December 2, 2024, Moyo cited multiple complaints of abuse of office and corruption as the reason for Dube's suspension, stating that the town clerk was required to leave council offices immediately.
Despite efforts to reach both Moyo and Dube for comment, neither official was available, with their mobile phones not being answered. ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu also did not respond to inquiries regarding the investigation.
The report, which was sent directly to ZACC's investigative unit, sheds light on the deep-rooted corruption within the Victoria Falls City Council and underscores the urgent need for accountability in local government operations. As the investigation continues, further revelations are expected, with ZACC urging the public to assist in identifying and prosecuting those involved in the scandal.
The investigation, disclosed in a ZACC report dated November 4, 2024, suggests that both Moyo and Dube, along with several senior council employees, were engaged in a scheme to illegally allocate land for personal and political gain. According to ZACC intelligence officer B Mapfumo, the council has been operating outside its governing laws and regulations, with corruption rampant at multiple levels.
The scandal allegedly involves a syndicate of councillors and senior employees who orchestrated the illegal distribution of land. One key example is the controversial sale of Stand 8300, where Dube allegedly manipulated the evaluation process to favor Zambezi Properties, a shelf company formed specifically for this transaction. The company was registered on September 15, 2021, well after the council had called for tenders for the stand, raising suspicions of corruption.
Dube is further accused of creating a fraudulent list of names for residential stands, which he allegedly issued to himself, the mayor, and other officials under the pretext of "discretionary allocations." The mayor, Moyo, reportedly received 12 stands, while Dube allegedly took 15 stands. Additionally, some individuals were required to pay Dube's wife to secure eligibility for these plots.
The investigation also uncovered corruption related to a US$4.8 million tender awarded to Highshot Engineering (Pvt) Ltd for road, sewerage, and water reticulation works on the BE100 housing scheme. This tender was allegedly awarded without following proper procurement procedures, and the project was overseen by CCE (Pvt) Ltd, a company that was brought in without proper consultation. A payment of US$157,401 was made to CCE (Pvt) Ltd on the instruction of Dube, further highlighting the scale of the alleged corruption.
Mayor Tuso Moyo has since taken action by suspending Ronnie Dube from his position as town clerk over the allegations. In a letter dated December 2, 2024, Moyo cited multiple complaints of abuse of office and corruption as the reason for Dube's suspension, stating that the town clerk was required to leave council offices immediately.
Despite efforts to reach both Moyo and Dube for comment, neither official was available, with their mobile phones not being answered. ZACC spokesperson Simiso Mlevu also did not respond to inquiries regarding the investigation.
The report, which was sent directly to ZACC's investigative unit, sheds light on the deep-rooted corruption within the Victoria Falls City Council and underscores the urgent need for accountability in local government operations. As the investigation continues, further revelations are expected, with ZACC urging the public to assist in identifying and prosecuting those involved in the scandal.
Source - newsday
