Councillors’ looting spree thwarted
Councillors were stopped from siphoning money from their struggling municipalities under the guise of attending the just ended Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) where they intended to spend big on allowances, it has emerged.
This publication gathered that the Local Government ministry was alarmed by budget proposals where various councils had drawn up large delegations to attend the ZITF where they wanted to spend big on hotel stay and allowances.
In a notice seen by this publication, the ministry issued a directive to the local authorities to cut their travelling delegations to 10 or less.
“Following receipt of a letter dated 16th April 2024 Referenced LAP/50 and LAP/51 addressed to all local Authorities from the permanent secretary for Local Government and Public Works requesting immediate cost cutting and saving measures for the 64th edition of the 2024, please note that the number of delegates to attend the ZITF has been limited to 10 for councils, who will be exhibiting and five for those local authorities, who are not exhibiting,” reads the notice.
Harare mayor Jacob Mafume confirmed the development in an interview with The Standard yesterday saying they travelled with only 10 officials.
“We travelled with five councillors and five officials from the management and we have managed to cut costs as Harare City Council,” Mafume said.
“In previous years we would carry a delegation of about 40 councillors, but at the moment we have issues of salaries, which we need to address at Harare City Council.
“We used a budget of US$5 000 this year for the trade fair; we don’t want to be at loggerheads because of the ratepayers money.”
Mutare City Council travelled with five officials to the ZITF, mayor Simon Chabuka said.
“We travelled with only four councillors, including myself and this was also done to cut costs,” Chabuka said.
“As Mutare City Council, we have been thriving to cut costs in all our programmes.”
However, some councillors who were left behind are fuming and crying foul.
“We were side-lined at the 11th hour,” said one Harare councillor.
“I thought I was going to attend the event and I had already planned for the journey to Bulawayo.
“Only a few are going to benefit from the ZITF.
"To those of us who have been left at the last minute; it means there won’t be any allowances and free accommodation.”
Another councillor said: “I had to use other means to make sure that I attended.
“I wanted to explore some opportunities and meet some partners that could benefit my community.”
Traditionally, the councillors would attend workshops or events in their large numbers and blow money.
In September last year, 12 Harare councillors reportedly blew approximately $100 million (US$20 000) in two days on two workshops held for the finance and information and publicity committees.
Traditionally, councillors have been accused of extravagance, especially during workshops or events, where they allegedly misuse funds spending big on themselves while pleading financial constraints when confronted over poor service delivery.