Corrupt MDC councillors face expulsion

THERE is panic in MDC-Alliance-run councils as an independent commission set up by the party to investigate and take action against all corrupt party officials has started conducting enquiries, The Herald can reveal.

Councillors implicated in corrupt activities risk being recalled after the Integrity and Accountability Panel (IAP) appointed by the party president Mr Nelson Chamisa makes recommendations to the leadership of the party.

This is an acid test for the opposition party following rampant reports of corruption in urban authorities mostly being run by MDC-Alliance countrywide, with the latest case being of the Harare City Council splashing thousands in out-of-town trips.

In an interview on Monday, MDC-Alliance deputy national spokesperson Mr Luke Tamborinyoka said the commission had since launched investigations into its corrupt councillors.

“The commission has started work to make sure that we create cities of excellence,” he said.

Mr Tamborinyoka said MDC-Alliance presidential spokesperson Dr Nkululeko

Sibanda had finer details since the commission reports directly to Mr Chamisa.

Dr Sibanda said the purpose of the “integrity panel” was to conduct checks and balances for all party officials serving in public offices.

He said some of their elected officials in councils were being captured by management, hence compromising their mandate of serving the public diligently.

Dr Sibanda said those implicated in dodgy deals will be reprimanded.

The committee made up of six officials is led by Advocate Thabani Mpofu.