News / Local
Govt orders suspension of Bulawayo deputy mayor
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The Ministry of Local Government and Public Works has suspended Bulawayo Deputy Mayor Councillor Edwin Ndlovu and Finance and Development Committee Chairperson Clr Mpumelelo Moyo following their arrest on corruption charges. The two will remain suspended until they are acquitted by the courts.
Clr Ndlovu and Clr Moyo face allegations of soliciting a US$20,000 facilitation fee to approve the establishment of a cement mixing factory. The duo was granted US$100 bail each by High Court Judge Justice Ngoni Nduna, with conditions including reporting to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) every Friday and residing at their declared addresses. Additionally, Clr Moyo was ordered to surrender the title deeds to his house and his passport.
Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Gabriel Masvora, reaffirmed the government's stance on suspending council officials facing legal charges.
"Our directive regarding the suspension of council officials with pending court cases has not changed. In the interest of public accountability and sound governance, any official involved in ongoing legal matters must refrain from their regular council duties until cleared by the courts," he said.
This directive, originally issued in February 2022, applies to all urban and rural council officials implicated in unresolved criminal cases.
According to sources, the allegations against the two councillors are part of a broader investigation. ZACC reportedly plans to arrest additional councillors involved in demanding the alleged facilitation fee from the Chinese investor.
A source familiar with the case disclosed:
"There is a top five, including Councillors Ndlovu and Moyo, believed to be at the forefront of the facilitation fee demand. The investigation team is confident of a possible conviction, and more arrests may follow."
The Sunday News claims to have seen a list of 20 councillors allegedly involved in the case, with each purportedly set to receive US$1,000. Among those named are Clrs Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Mxolisi Mahlangu, Lizzy Sibanda, Dumisani Nkomo, and several others.
The arrests have drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding ZACC's efforts to combat corruption while others question the timing and scope of the investigation. As the case unfolds, it remains a test of the government's commitment to addressing corruption within local authorities.
The two councillors are expected to return to court in the coming weeks as investigations continue.
Clr Ndlovu and Clr Moyo face allegations of soliciting a US$20,000 facilitation fee to approve the establishment of a cement mixing factory. The duo was granted US$100 bail each by High Court Judge Justice Ngoni Nduna, with conditions including reporting to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) every Friday and residing at their declared addresses. Additionally, Clr Moyo was ordered to surrender the title deeds to his house and his passport.
Director of Communication and Advocacy in the Ministry of Local Government, Mr. Gabriel Masvora, reaffirmed the government's stance on suspending council officials facing legal charges.
"Our directive regarding the suspension of council officials with pending court cases has not changed. In the interest of public accountability and sound governance, any official involved in ongoing legal matters must refrain from their regular council duties until cleared by the courts," he said.
This directive, originally issued in February 2022, applies to all urban and rural council officials implicated in unresolved criminal cases.
A source familiar with the case disclosed:
"There is a top five, including Councillors Ndlovu and Moyo, believed to be at the forefront of the facilitation fee demand. The investigation team is confident of a possible conviction, and more arrests may follow."
The Sunday News claims to have seen a list of 20 councillors allegedly involved in the case, with each purportedly set to receive US$1,000. Among those named are Clrs Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu, Mxolisi Mahlangu, Lizzy Sibanda, Dumisani Nkomo, and several others.
The arrests have drawn mixed reactions, with some applauding ZACC's efforts to combat corruption while others question the timing and scope of the investigation. As the case unfolds, it remains a test of the government's commitment to addressing corruption within local authorities.
The two councillors are expected to return to court in the coming weeks as investigations continue.
Source - The Sunday News
