By Correspondent
Mutoko RDC has been operating without a stand register, despite the existence of unsold stands, creating loopholes for corruption.
Details of the case are contained in the latest Auditor General’s (AG) report.
According to the AG the local authority is contravening the Rural District Council Act which requires Council to keep proper books of account.
According to the findings it is alleged that there are chances of mismanagement of financial statements and irregular sale of stands might not be detected in time.
In response the Council said they recruited a Planner to address the matter.
“The Planner has started the compilation of all stands.
“Council (will) commit an employee who will be responsible for billing,” reads part of the response.
Shambolic Parceling of Stands
Marondera has already previously suffered prejudice due to the absence of the land register.
In 2022 former Chief Executive Officer Peter Sigauke and Town planner Enock Mukwekwe were convicted of criminal abuse of office.
This followed the pegging of three unnumbered stands within Chizanga beerhall stand by the two.
This was done without the approval from Rural District Council.
They then pocketed US$ 12 00 from the sales.
Sigauke and Mukwekwe also unlawfully created three commercial stands at the old bus terminus.
They sold two to Econet Wireless and Zvisineyi Chitiyo, while the third remained in the council’s land bank.
