By Clarity Sibanda Own Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (ZIMCODD) has called on the audit of the loan amounting to U.S $144 million which was obtained from the Chinese Export and Import Bank by the Harare City Council, whose officials are alleged to have pocketed more than US$100million through inflating prices of equipment to refurbish water and sewage treatment plants.
In a petition drafted by the organization after consulting the residents, the Coalition says it is worried on the developments at the Harare City Council of particular concern, the continued deterioration of the service delivery as many suburbs continue to suffer serious water shortages.
“The level of corruption as shown by the recently publicized salaries of senior employees whose highest earner is town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi who pocketed US$37 642 according to a salaries report dated December 12,2013 submitted to Kingdom Bank by a city employee Mr. Charles Mutongwizo, is against a background of deteriorating services and underpayment of workers” ZIMCODD said.
The non-governmental organization says the reinstatement of the Town Clerk Dr Tendayi Mahachi who was suspended to pave way for an audit of the city council finances is not only a cause for concern but a disgrace.
In a meeting organized by the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights on Tuesday that ran under the theme “Public Accountability and Governance vis a vis Corruption and Mismanagement of Public Funds”, the Former Harare Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda who was amongst the panelists pointed out that politics of poverty was a huge problem in the country as some people were looking for opportunities to make money.
Harare Residents Trust Director Mr. Precious Shumba called for the formulation of policy bodies that should not be driven by politicians but by communities in ensuring transparency and accountability in the aspect of service delivery.
ZIMCODD said a speedy solution has to be availed to the water problems affecting the city with full citizen involvement and called for public consultation on any future loans.
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