Acting town clerk in fuel scam

THE Acting Town Clerk for Gweru, Mr Vakayi Chikwekwe, has come under the spotlight after an audit report revealed that he allegedly abused council resources and fraudulently withdrew fuel for personal use.

An audit report on review of fuel withdrawals and use by council executives and top management compiled by the Gweru City Council internal auditor Mr Kizito Chitungo dated 27 August 2019 revealed that Mr Chikwekwe allegedly misled council into believing that he wanted to hand over a vehicle to the former Town Clerk, Mr Daniel Matawu and withdrew fuel on two occasions.

Mr Chikwekwe allegedly took 146 litres to deliver the vehicle to Mr Matawu who interestingly resides less than 10km from the Town House.

“On 24 September 2018 vehicle registration number ADA 2296 Jeep Cherokee used by the chamber secretary then made a withdrawal of fuel, 87 litres, the purpose of withdrawal was written as top up, to hand over vehicle to Mr Matawu. Again, on October 15, 2018, the same vehicle registration number made another withdrawal of 59 litres and again the purpose was top up to hand over vehicle to Mr Matawu,” reads the audit report.

The report further alleges that Mr Chikwekwe was also allegedly withdrawing more than his weekly fuel allocation.

“The chamber secretary was withdrawing more than his weekly allocations without the fuel withdrawal authorisation forms. Audit noted that there were situations where the chamber secretary would withdraw fuel and also claim cash for the same journey,” reads part of the report.

The report also noted that council officials were allegedly abusing the fuel allocation system prejudicing the rate payers of thousands of dollars.

“When council officials receive money for fuel and toll gate fees when travelling out of town, they are supposed to submit the fuel and toll gate fees receipts to the cash book for acquittal. Audit observed that some head of departments were not submitting their receipts for fuel and toll gate fees to cash book for acquittal. These included the Director of Engineering Services Mr Robson Manatsa, Director of Health Services Mr Samuel Sekenhamho and Mr Chikwekwe,” reads the report.

The vehicles for some top executives were being topped with fuel for trips, resulting in excess fuel being given than necessary.

Under conclusions and recommendations, the audit noted that the chamber secretary’s vehicle was allegedly topping up fuel which appeared more than necessary for a single journey.

“The chamber secretary should explain how withdrawals were made in excess of the expected for the particular journey. The chamber secretary was withdrawing more than his weekly allocations without the relevant fuel withdrawal/authorization form. Mr Matawu’s vehicle was filled with fuel twice meant for hand over. The chamber secretary should explain to council why he filled Mr Matawu’s vehicle twice with fuel before handing it over. The chamber secretary was making double withdrawal of fuel by withdrawing fuel from stores and at the same time claiming fuel on his travel and subsistence forms,” reads the report.

“Some heads of departments were not submitting fuel and toll gate fees to cash book for acquittal thereby making the payment vouchers incomplete. As recommended in Audit DF2 2019, review system in place for cash and delivery payments. Audit reiterates, fuel and toll gates should be submitted to cash book for acquittal.”

Contacted for a comment Mr Chikwekwe said he was still to get hold of the alleged audit report.