Tinashe Sambiri|Zanu Zanu PF is at the centre of corruption in local authorities, MDC Alliance Secretary for Local Government, Sesel Zvidzai has said.
Local Government Minister, July Moyo has been mired in a corruption scandal and he is at pains to clear his name.
Below is Hon Zvidzai’s statement:
JULY MOYO, ZANU PF AT THE CENTRE OF CORRUPTION IN LOCAL
AUTHORITIES
The events of recent weeks demonstrate that ZANU PF and central government are at
the centre of corruption in local authorities.
It has been recently reported that Local
Government Minister, July Moyo, is entangled in a corruption scandal.
It is alleged that
Minister Moyo awarded a US$9,3 million contract to supply water pumps to the City of
Harare without going to tender. Reports state that July Moyo instructed staff in the City
of Harare (who are appointed by central government) to source the equipment from a
company linked to a Mr Kruger without following tender requirements laid down in our
procurement laws. Mr Kruger is believed to be a friend of the Minister whom he
associates with and is involved in the Chilonga displacement saga.
This latest act of grand corruption scandal demonstrates that Minister July Moyo,
central government and ZANU PF are at the centre of the corruption crisis in local
authorities. It has further come to our attention that Chiredzi Town Council has also
been forced to procure generators and other equipment unprocedurally from persons
who are connected to the Minister.
July Moyo’s US$9,3 million corruption scandal follows the recent arrests of ZANU PF
land barons, Frederick Maramba and Smelly Dube. This is only the tip of a massive
iceberg. The Uchena Land Commission Report on State-land established that over
US$3 billion worth of land was misappropriated by these land barons who are
connected to ZANU PF.
We condemn theses corrupt acts as they lead to the delivery of substandard equipment,
the siphoning of taxpayers’ money and perpetuate the capture of local authorities by
central government.
We call upon the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission, the Zimbabwe Republic
Police and the National Prosecution Authority to urgently investigate Minister Moyo
and hold him to account for his corrupt conduct that is prejudicing taxpayers and
citizens who will, as a result, be deprived of decent service delivery.
As highlighted by President Nelson Chamisa in his Agenda 2021 address, the fight
against corruption is one of the key pillars in our People’s Agenda. Corruption is
choking the ordinary person and we call upon all progressive forces and citizens to
converge with the MDC Alliance to fight against this scourge. We demand
accountability and transformation on all matters of maladministration. The fight against
corruption must be driven by a broad alliance. It must overshadow our political
polarities because it is killing all sectors of our society.
Sesel Zvidzai
Secretary for Local Government and Rural Development
