Graft-accused Bikita RDC CEO Peter Chibi still rep...

Graft-accused Bikita RDC CEO Peter Chibi still reporting for duty

Zim Now Writer

Despite his bail condition orders him not to interfere with State witnesses, Bikita Rural District Council Chief Executive Officer Peter Chibhi - who appeared in court on March 1 for getting a US$191 000 loan for the local authority without Government approval - continues to go to work.

Communications director in the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works, Gabriel Masvora, warned that by continuing to go to work, Chibi is violating the Statutory Instrument issued on July 27, 2020, which automatically places all council officials with pending court cases on forced leave.

https://zimbabwenow.co.zw/articles/2912/zacc-arrests-bikita-rdc-ceo-for-unauthorised-purchase-of-6-toyota-gd6s

Council chairperson Benjamin Masakadze, who is supposed to write the suspension letter against Chibhi, said he has not been officially told of Chibhi’s corruption charges.

Masakadze said he can only act if police tell him of the charges and he also needed the Ministry to tell him about the SI.

Masvora said the ministry’s policy on the issue came into effect in 2020, showing that Masakadze’s utterances were a reflection of the highest level of ignorance by a council chairman.

If Chibhi is reporting to work, Masvora said, on the basis of last year’s ruling which said the Minister has no powers over local authorities, then he got it wrong because the Ministry appealed against it implying that the SI still stands.

“The Ministry’s policy is clear. Council officials facing corruption allegations must be suspended. If the council chair has not written to the CEO then that’s sheer ignorance,” said Masvora.

Reports say that Chibhi walked straight from court after getting bail into the boardroom where he addressed managers and immediately resumed work.

The Bikita RDC CEO is facing corruption allegations after he allegedly borrowed US$191 000 to buy Toyota GD6 vehicles for council managers without the approval of the Minister.

Chibi was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti -Corruption Commission and was granted ZWL$50 000 bail by magistrate Takawira Mugabe when he appeared for initial remand at the Bikita Magistrates’ Court.