News / National
Chaos erupts in Masvingo over Germany trip
09 Jun 2015 at 03:47hrs | Views
Chaos erupted at Masvingo Council after Council defied a resolution and decided to bring in through the back door a Zanu PF councillor to join a team approved for a business trip to Germany.
Council sat and approved the Mayor Hubert Fidze, Town Clerk Adolf Gusha, City treasurer Dube and Councilor Lovemore Mufamba (Zanu PF) for a trip to Kernen in Germany where the team is to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two towns.
According to reports Zanu PF councillor for Ward 8, Against Chiteme suddenly appeared on the list and allegations are that his expenses would be paid by the ratepayers. It is alleged that his visa and trip to get the visa in Harare has already been paid for by council despite that the local authority is broke.
Sources said that the councillors were each given $570 for transport and accommodation to Harare when they went to process their visas. However they were allegedly turned away at the Embassy because they did not book in advance as required and this meant they had to receive another $570 to make a second trip.
Gusha confirmed that Chiteme was on the trip but was quick to say councillor Chiteme was going to use his own money for air fare and the Germans will pay for his accommodation.
"Yes I can confirm that councillor Chiteme is going to Germany but he is going to use his own money for his air fare but the Germans will pay for his accommodation. This has been the protocol and the last time it was former councillor Godfrey Hwenga who paid for his own air fare.
"As you know the council does not pay for delegates' spouses but if they pay for their own fares the Germans will pay for their accomodation," said Gusha.
Masvingo Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) programmes coordinator Anoziva Muguti said Council must in the interest of transparency produce proof that Chiteme paid for the trip from his personal resources.
"We all know that they don't want to disclose their financial statements. We demand that they produce proof of payment to show that indeed Chiteme is using personal funds," said Muguti.
Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT) programmes manager Prosper Tiringindi, said Masvingo City council never respected residents and run the council as their personal business.
The council is going to spend over $ 6000 on air fares.news
Council sat and approved the Mayor Hubert Fidze, Town Clerk Adolf Gusha, City treasurer Dube and Councilor Lovemore Mufamba (Zanu PF) for a trip to Kernen in Germany where the team is to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two towns.
According to reports Zanu PF councillor for Ward 8, Against Chiteme suddenly appeared on the list and allegations are that his expenses would be paid by the ratepayers. It is alleged that his visa and trip to get the visa in Harare has already been paid for by council despite that the local authority is broke.
Sources said that the councillors were each given $570 for transport and accommodation to Harare when they went to process their visas. However they were allegedly turned away at the Embassy because they did not book in advance as required and this meant they had to receive another $570 to make a second trip.
Gusha confirmed that Chiteme was on the trip but was quick to say councillor Chiteme was going to use his own money for air fare and the Germans will pay for his accommodation.
"As you know the council does not pay for delegates' spouses but if they pay for their own fares the Germans will pay for their accomodation," said Gusha.
Masvingo Residents and Ratepayers Association (MURRA) programmes coordinator Anoziva Muguti said Council must in the interest of transparency produce proof that Chiteme paid for the trip from his personal resources.
"We all know that they don't want to disclose their financial statements. We demand that they produce proof of payment to show that indeed Chiteme is using personal funds," said Muguti.
Masvingo Residents Trust (MRT) programmes manager Prosper Tiringindi, said Masvingo City council never respected residents and run the council as their personal business.
The council is going to spend over $ 6000 on air fares.news
Source - Byo24News
