BY JAIROS SAUNYAMA
The Local Government ministry has deployed a four-member team to investigate the MDC-T-led Marondera municipality following complaints about corruption and mismanagement.
The probe was triggered by a letter from Marondera Residents’ Open Forum (MAROF) addressed to Mashonaland East Provincial Affairs minister Applonia Munzverengi.
MAROF accused the council of failing to fulfil promises to improve service delivery.
This paper is reliably informed that the government officials are deployed in the farming town until next Wednesday and have been interviewing residents associations’ representatives, among other stakeholders.
Marondera Urban Business Forum (MUBF) chairperson Emmanuel Danha confirmed that he was one of the people interviewed by the team.
“The team currently at council chambers are from the Local Government ministry and was sent on a fact-finding assignment,” Danha said.
“We commend the government and relevant arms for listening and reacting, something which sadly our own council fail or choose to ignore.
- 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
“We don’t seek to fight, but to enhance the beauty and sound operations of the council as we yearn for city status in the short to medium term.
“So it’s our fervent hope that this latest intervention by the ministry will help us achieve this; to work in harmony with council officials for the betterment of Marondera town.”
MAROF chairperson Edmore Mujeyi also confirmed the deployment of the commission of inquiry and said residents have put their hope in government to ensure that council becomes accountable.
The residents have also been accusing council of releasing 150 hectares of land to a local company in exchange of motor vehicles and other equipment while council officials are allegedly parcelling out commercial stands among themselves.
Marondera is one of the urban areas severely affected by the recall of MDC Alliance councillors by the rival MDC-T led by Douglas Mwonzora.
Mwonzora’s party now controls a number of towns and cities despite losing the 2018 elections.
