Gokwe council suspends 5 over US$1.1 theft

Zim Now Writer

Gokwe Town Council has suspended five employees without benefits for stealing council building materials worth more US$1 100.

The five stole 1 000 standard bricks, 2 rolls diamond mesh wire, 14 second-hand window frames, 4 round poles and 8 gum poles.

Smart Mafuvadze, 55, Munashe Chuma, 52, Earnest Murinda, 53, Munyaradzi Majojo, 37 and Admire Ziyapunya, 39, have since been convicted by Gokwe magistrate, Honest Musiiwa.

Mafuvadze was sentenced for 760 hours while the other four will perform community service for 380 hours each.

However, the suspended employees - who are scheduled to appear before a disciplinary committee on a date to be announced - also implicated some unknown top management officials in the embezzlement of council funds.

The detailed report further alleges that the matter is now straining relations between councillors and management.

It is alleged that some councillors and managers intend to move a motion to pardon the convicted employees and giving them final warnings.

The leaked report also alleges that, “the acting Town Secretary is being extremist as he is the one accused of pushing for the five employees’ dismissals”.

It is believed that Alexander Nyandoro wanted the employees to be fired for stealing from the local authority.

A councillor who refused to be named said “Nyandoro once said the only appropriate sentence for people who steal from government and public institutions is death sentence”.

Investigations revealed that the case has reached boiling point as some councillors are baying for Nyandoro’s head accusing him for corrupt activities at the local authority.

Town Council chairperson, Never Gwanzura confirmed the suspension of the employees and said they will soon appear before the disciplinary committee to answer to theft charges.