ZACC moves in as RDCs squander $2 billion on graf...

ZACC moves in as RDCs squander $2 billion on graft and mismanagement

Zim Now Writer

Mismanagement and corruption are the most common cases of rot blighting Rural District Councils with the Auditor-General’s reports identifying financial mismanagement and non-compliance with accounting standards in most councils.

This has led to the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission targeting the RDCs as cases involving alleged diversion of devolution funds into personal accounts.

It is reported that ZWL$ 2 188 070 259 was disbursed by government between 2019 and 2021, through the Local Government ministry for devolution to all rural and urban local authorities.

However, little to nothing was done towards the intended purposes, prompting Zacc to spring into action.

Local authorities in Mutoko, Norton, Umzingwane, Umguza, Harare, Hwange, Kusile, Mazowe, Mutasa, and Nyaminyami have all been flagged for irregularities.

Recently, Bikita Rural District Council chief executive officer, Peter Chibhi committed suicide with reports suggesting pressure from authorities who had him under investigation involving the use of public funds.

Tsholotsho Rural District council executives have also been probed, with chief executive officer Nkululeko Sibanda and executive finance officer, Brighton Malandule currently out on bail following their arrests in connection with abuse of public funds in a borehole drilling contract.

Reports from the 2022 audit by then acting Auditor-General Rhea Kujinga, found that local authorities had been misusing devolution funds, through untaxed benefits and corrupt tender agreements.

“I noted that most findings in local authorities continue to be in respect of financial mismanagement, non-compliance with international Public Sector Accounting Standards and International Financial Reporting Standards and laws and regulations, untaxed benefits, lack of adequate controls over contract management and management of stands sales and poor service delivery,” she said in the report.

“I noted that some councils did not use the money as intended.

“The lack of transparency on how these local authorities used public funds significantly compromised transparency and accountability and in turn affected service delivery to the public,” Kujinga added.