Harare, (New Ziana) – The Ministry Local Government and Public Works, in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), will appoint investigators to probe corrupt activities and abuse of power in local authorities.
The Urban Councils Act (Chapter 29:15) and the Rural District Councils Act (Chapter 29:13) mandate the Ministry to oversee the operations of all the 92 rural and urban councils throughout the country.
Addressing the media in Harare on Thursday, Local Government and Public Works Minister Daniel Garwe said the law provides that investigators may be appointed to conduct internal investigations on matters that relate to the good governance of a council area or district.
“The Ministry has an Integrity Committee, as prescribed by the ZACC, mandated to maintain ethical standards and prevent corruption. Whilst the Ministry has always been conducting investigations in councils, other state institutions such as ZACC and the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) have a Constitutional mandate to also carry out investigations in local authorities and other sectors as well.
“Naturally, investigations by ZACC and ZRP would look into criminal matters, whilst the Ministry’s investigations would focus on inefficiencies and administrative malpractices in councils and recommend criminal matters to law enforcement agencies,” he said.
Garwe added that currently, there are several corruption-related cases under investigation by the ZACC and other law enforcement agencies in the majority of both urban councils and rural district councils.
He also revealed that in the midst of numerous investigations which have resulted in arrests and suspensions of council officials, some of which, because of their complex nature go unresolved for years; the Ministry in collaboration with the ZACC are setting up a Special Taskforce to exclusively investigate local authorities and ensure allegations raised against Councils and their officials, are thoroughly investigated and resolved.
“It is important, however, to highlight that the involvement of the Ministry in these investigations is not meant to undermine law enforcement agencies, but to ensure a swift response to allegations raised against councils and their officials,” he said.
New Ziana
