News / National
Council embroiled in US$18k advance salary scandal
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Chiredzi Town Council is embroiled in a financial scandal after it emerged that nearly US$18,000 in salary advances given to employees remains unaccounted for, with some beneficiaries having already left the local authority without repaying the funds.
The issue came to light during a recent Full Council meeting, where the audit committee revealed the worrying state of the council's finances, including irregularities in salary advance repayments and missing financial records.
Audit Committee Chairperson Sekai Njanjure disclosed that the council had failed to recover close to half a million Zimbabwean Gold (ZiG), equivalent to US$18,000, which was paid out to staff members in 2024 as advance salaries.
"There is a need for a clear policy to govern the issuance and repayment of salary advances," said Njanjure. "The council is currently owed US$18,000 or half a million ZiG, and some of the employees who received these funds have since left the institution."
The committee also unearthed the disappearance of seven receipt books from January to December 2024, with no clear records on how or when the books were issued.
Ward 5 Councillor Philip Muchaendepi demanded urgent action to recover the funds and address systemic weaknesses in the council's financial management.
"We need to make a resolution to recover our money immediately. Some of the employees who owe us have already left their jobs," Muchaendepi said. He also called for a total overhaul of the revenue collection team at Chiredzi Polyclinic, alleging widespread abuse. "People have been stealing from the council and resigning before investigations can even start."
Ward 2 Councillor Danford Chikanyau laid blame on the Finance Department, accusing it of failing to take initiative in recovering the funds.
"The finance department should have taken action rather than wait for the Human Resources department to make deductions," said Chikanyau.
However, Finance Director Lloyd Musasa rejected the accusations, arguing that his department only processes payments based on payroll data received from the Human Resources unit.
"The Human Resources Department is responsible for the payroll and making deductions. Our role is to process what we are given," said Musasa. He confirmed that his department is compiling evidence to lodge a police report over the missing funds.
Meanwhile, Ward 3 Councillor Vimbai Ushe expressed frustration over the council's failure to act on recommendations from the audit committee.
"We have been passing resolutions, but there is little to no implementation. We must now enforce measures to recover the money and account for the missing receipt books," said Ushe.
The scandal has exposed deep-rooted administrative flaws in Chiredzi Town Council's financial management systems, with councillors calling for urgent reforms to restore accountability and protect public funds.
The issue came to light during a recent Full Council meeting, where the audit committee revealed the worrying state of the council's finances, including irregularities in salary advance repayments and missing financial records.
Audit Committee Chairperson Sekai Njanjure disclosed that the council had failed to recover close to half a million Zimbabwean Gold (ZiG), equivalent to US$18,000, which was paid out to staff members in 2024 as advance salaries.
"There is a need for a clear policy to govern the issuance and repayment of salary advances," said Njanjure. "The council is currently owed US$18,000 or half a million ZiG, and some of the employees who received these funds have since left the institution."
The committee also unearthed the disappearance of seven receipt books from January to December 2024, with no clear records on how or when the books were issued.
Ward 5 Councillor Philip Muchaendepi demanded urgent action to recover the funds and address systemic weaknesses in the council's financial management.
"We need to make a resolution to recover our money immediately. Some of the employees who owe us have already left their jobs," Muchaendepi said. He also called for a total overhaul of the revenue collection team at Chiredzi Polyclinic, alleging widespread abuse. "People have been stealing from the council and resigning before investigations can even start."
"The finance department should have taken action rather than wait for the Human Resources department to make deductions," said Chikanyau.
However, Finance Director Lloyd Musasa rejected the accusations, arguing that his department only processes payments based on payroll data received from the Human Resources unit.
"The Human Resources Department is responsible for the payroll and making deductions. Our role is to process what we are given," said Musasa. He confirmed that his department is compiling evidence to lodge a police report over the missing funds.
Meanwhile, Ward 3 Councillor Vimbai Ushe expressed frustration over the council's failure to act on recommendations from the audit committee.
"We have been passing resolutions, but there is little to no implementation. We must now enforce measures to recover the money and account for the missing receipt books," said Ushe.
The scandal has exposed deep-rooted administrative flaws in Chiredzi Town Council's financial management systems, with councillors calling for urgent reforms to restore accountability and protect public funds.
Source - TellZim
