Redcliff probed over procurement of luxurious vehicles

THE Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-SA) has petitioned the Municipality of Redcliff to release information on the supply of two luxurious Toyota GD6 vehicles which the local authority claims were bought from Toyota Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd.

In a report ACT-SA said it received information from a whistleblower alleging a conflict of interest on the procurement of the vehicles allocated to senior council employees.

“The whistleblower alleged that the Municipality of Redcliff was not truthful when it informed its stakeholders that it had bought the two motor vehicles from Toyota Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd. There was suspicion that the same had been bought from an individual related to some members of staff at the local authority,” the report read.

“On January 17, 2024, ACTSA enquired with Toyota Zimbabwe (Pvt) Ltd which distanced itself from the sale of the two vehicles in question. Through a letter dated 29 January 2024, Toyota Zimbabwe distanced itself from the transaction and referred ACT-SA to the Mike Harris Group.”

The watchdog noted that on the same day, the Mike Harris Group in Gweru acknowledged receipt of the letter, but advised it that the company would only respond after interactions with its legal team and the local authority.

“On February 5, 2024, Gweru Toyota responded, but maintained that the information requested was confidential until it was authorised to forward the same to ACT-SA by the local authority itself. On February 8, ACT-SA requested the same from the Municipality of Redcliff which as at February 19 had refused to provide the requested information,” the report read.

“ACT-SA strongly urges Redcliff Municipality to provide the requested information in the public interest and also considering that Section 62 of the Constitution of Zimbabwe of 2013 gives ACT-SA or any other person the right of access to any information held by any person, including the State or by any institution or agency of government at every level, insofar as the information is required in the interests of public accountability or for the exercise or protection of a right.”

Contacted for comment yesterday, Redcliff mayor Shangwa Masiiwa said he had not received such request from ACTSA.

“At the moment, I have not received anything of that sort, let me find out," Masiiwa said.