Vehicles saga haunts Bikita RDC as 6 managers appe...

Vehicles saga haunts Bikita RDC as 6 managers appear in court

Zim Now Writer

Six Bikita Rural District Council managers have appeared before Masvingo Provincial Magistrate, Farai Gwitima over vehicles bought by the local authority but registered in their individual names.

The six are Arnold Mutuke (Engineer), Bonface Nerumedzo (Housing and Planning Officer), Nomatter Gezera (Administrator), Morgan Madhura (Social Services Director), Never Mavhuna (Finance Manager) and Philemon Madara (Internal auditor).

Ruling in the matter is expected next week.

The six were arrested together with the late Bikita RDC Chief Executive Officer, Peter Chibhi for breaching the Public Finance Management Act after they borrowed US$191 000 from African Century Limited to buy top-of-the-range vehicles without government approval.

Chibhi committed suicide last month after Local Government and Public Works Minister, Winston Chitando dispatched a probe team to the local authority to investigate allegations of graft.

The loan, which attracts an interest of US$30 000, means the total prejudice to council is US$222 000.

The vehicles were bought from Faramatsi.

Section 65(1) of the Public Finance Management Act (Chapter 22:19) strictly restrict public entities from borrowing money without approval from central government.