By Correspondent
The arrest of Council Audit Chairperson Cllr Blessing Duma on extortion charges has raised suspicions that he may be the victim of a criminal cartel in Council.
Duma was arrested by the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) last week on accusations of extorting Council Director of Housing Addmore Nhekairo.
According to the charge sheet Duma demanded that Dzehonye sign stand allocation letters for his two friends.
He allegedly threatened Dzehonye with unspecified actions if he refused.
Conspiracy Against Duma
However, the narrative from the ongoing Harare Commission of Inquiry raises strong suspicions that Duma is a victim.
In his most recent incriminating testimony Duma revealed underhand deals by Council officials.
Duma told the commission that over 60 0000 recently constructed homes in Harare are not being billed.
“This affects around 60 000 houses, and the situation remains unchanged because.
“In the meetings I chair, none of the necessary actions have been implemented.
“If you refer to the minutes of 24 July 2024, they go into detail.
“They include areas like Maranatha, where some properties are not being billed.
“Similarly, in Chadcombe, the majority of houses are not being billed.
Duma said a house is built and completed, the planning process is finalised, and services are installed, but there’s no compliance certificate.
“So the finance department can’t account for them and bill the owners.
”The situation, Cllr Duma, said, did not benefit individuals on the ground but “someone who is up there,” within the council.
Interestingly, the information conflicted with an earlier testimony from Harare City Council town Clerk, Hosiah Chisango.
Chisango explained that the city begins collecting revenue from any property as soon as it is regularised.
However, in the continued absence of an adequate billing system it is difficult for Harare to have comprehensive accounts, proper billing and adequate auditing.
Duma has since been remanded in custody awaiting bail hearing.
