It also splashed US$120 000 on a Toyota Prado for the director of Health, Mike Simoyi, a Toyota Hilux Virgo for Alfonse Tinofa, director of works worth
US$80 000 and a Toyota Fortuner worth US$80 000 for the director of housing, Jemina Gumbo.
All the cars were bought from Mike Harris Toyota for cash two months ago and this has not gone down well with councillors in Harare’s dormitory town.
The councillors feel that management went against a council resolution passed on October 30 last year.
According to minutes of that day Tinofa sought permission to buy vehicles for heads of departments from Mike Harris Toyota using a credit facility.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
Tinofa told council that prices were interest-free, with the company accepting payment in instalments and the local authority approving the deal.
But before that, on September 7, council had agreed that seven utility vehicles be bought from Nissan Zimbabwe before the heads of departments’ cars could be purchased.
However, senior council management ignored these resolutions and went on to purchase the four cars using funds from the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) extended to the local authority by government to fund capital projects, The Standard is reliably informed.
One of the payment vouchers shows that the cars were bought for cash through a bank transfer with Tanyanyiwa’s vehicle being paid for on May 7 using the PSIP funds.
“Prepare an RTGS for US$170 000 from PSIP funds. This is a temporary position until the insurance funds come through and we refund accordingly,” a Chitungwiza Town Council stores requisition in possession of The Standard reads in part.
Mayor Alderman Philemon Chipiyo said he was powerless to act against management.
“At some local authorities some mayors have power but others don’t have,” he said.
