Severe Service Deterioration and Allegations of Corruption at Ruwa Local Board

The Ruwa Local Board/Council is experiencing a rapid and alarming decline in service delivery, raising serious concerns among residents. Essential municipal services, for which residents pay rates, have become virtually non-existent. These include:

• Sanitation: Sewer and refuse collection services have collapsed.
• Water Supply: Reliable access to clean water is severely compromised.
• Infrastructure: Road maintenance and public infrastructure are neglected.
• Public Services: The public library, schools, food inspection, fire department, police, ambulance, and health department functions are critically impaired.
• Transportation: Public transport is inadequate or non-existent.

Residents report a complete disconnect between the council and the community, with allegations that the council prioritizes personal gain over public service. There are widespread accusations of:

• Embezzlement of funds by council employees.
• Corruption and illicit enrichment among high-ranking board members.
• Accusations of favoritism toward specific ethnic or racial groups.

A specific example of alleged financial mismanagement involves a ZB Bank account designated for rate payments. Residents claim that:

• Payments made into this account are not automatically credited to their accounts.
• Residents must physically present receipts at the council offices to ensure their payments are recorded.
• Delays in processing these payments create opportunities for funds to be misappropriated.
• Penalties are being applied to accounts, and council employees are claiming that they cannot determine the reason for the penalty.

This lack of transparency and accountability has led to a breakdown of trust between the council and the community. Further investigations into these allegations are warranted. Future reports will detail specific service failures and provide further evidence of alleged corruption.