News / National
BCC 20,000 litre fuel scandal, manager suspended
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A senior manager in the Bulawayo City Council's Fire and Ambulance Services Department has been suspended from duty amid allegations of siphoning over 20,000 litres of fuel over a three-year period, sources within the municipality have revealed.
The fuel scandal, which is now the subject of an internal audit and disciplinary proceedings, has also drawn the attention of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which is closely monitoring the developments.
According to well-placed council insiders, the embattled manager-whose name is being withheld as investigations continue-was issued with a suspension letter on Monday last week, and appeared before a disciplinary hearing last Thursday. This followed the completion of an internal audit whose findings reportedly expose large-scale fuel misappropriation.
"The internal audit report was damning. There was no way this could be covered up, especially after the issue came to light in the media," said one source familiar with the developments. "The official was suspended and the hearing has already been held. The outcome now seems inevitable."
The audit report, which is currently being circulated among senior council directors, is expected to be presented during the next full council meeting for further deliberation and possible escalation.
When contacted for comment, Bulawayo City Council spokesperson Ms Bongiwe Ngwenya declined to confirm or deny the suspension, citing council policy on personnel matters.
"Investigations are underway, and please note that the City of Bulawayo does not comment on employee matters in the media," she said.
Meanwhile, ZACC has confirmed it is tracking the case and awaiting the results of the city's internal audit before possibly stepping in with its own investigation.
"We are monitoring the situation and will act accordingly once the council's audit process is complete," said a ZACC official who declined to be named.
The scandal has sparked outrage within council corridors and among ratepayers, raising renewed concerns over accountability and resource management at a time when the city continues to grapple with fuel shortages and financial constraints.
More details are expected to emerge once the full audit report is tabled in council, potentially setting the stage for criminal charges and broader investigations.
The fuel scandal, which is now the subject of an internal audit and disciplinary proceedings, has also drawn the attention of the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), which is closely monitoring the developments.
According to well-placed council insiders, the embattled manager-whose name is being withheld as investigations continue-was issued with a suspension letter on Monday last week, and appeared before a disciplinary hearing last Thursday. This followed the completion of an internal audit whose findings reportedly expose large-scale fuel misappropriation.
"The internal audit report was damning. There was no way this could be covered up, especially after the issue came to light in the media," said one source familiar with the developments. "The official was suspended and the hearing has already been held. The outcome now seems inevitable."
The audit report, which is currently being circulated among senior council directors, is expected to be presented during the next full council meeting for further deliberation and possible escalation.
"Investigations are underway, and please note that the City of Bulawayo does not comment on employee matters in the media," she said.
Meanwhile, ZACC has confirmed it is tracking the case and awaiting the results of the city's internal audit before possibly stepping in with its own investigation.
"We are monitoring the situation and will act accordingly once the council's audit process is complete," said a ZACC official who declined to be named.
The scandal has sparked outrage within council corridors and among ratepayers, raising renewed concerns over accountability and resource management at a time when the city continues to grapple with fuel shortages and financial constraints.
More details are expected to emerge once the full audit report is tabled in council, potentially setting the stage for criminal charges and broader investigations.
Source - zimpapers
