by Gideon Madzikatidze in Mvurwi
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution for Mashonaland Central, Captain (Rtd) Christopher Magomo has been fingered as a beneficiary of the recent loot by council executives that rocked Mvurwi Town Council following him defending the alleged culprits who bypassed tender procedures and disregarded stakeholder consultation process while proceeding to purchase a fleet of expensive cars.
In a damning letter addressed and sent to him by the Mvurwi Town Residents and Ratepayers Trust (MTRRT), the Minister was dishonest and evasive in confirming that he received the communique, but rather avoided further questioning, signaling that he is supporting the council rot.
“I never received anything of that sort and I don’t entertain rogue media,” Magomo said.
“There is no such circumstances in Mashonaland Central,” Magomo said before hanging his mobile.
The systemic corruption has seen unprocedural purchase of several vehicles for heads of departments at Mashonaland Central’s monumental farming town council while its infrastructure is listed under “sorry state” condition.
Writing letters (reports) to several stakeholders and responsible authorities, the Mvurwi Town Residents and Ratepayers Trust through its secretary, Mr Holy Matare argued that the executives are mispioritising (misappropriation of financial resources) resources towards town’s basic social services and amenities which is a prerequisite for any feasible development.
The executives are accused of being allegedly involved in massive looting in connivance with the Minister and diverting public funds for personal gains while neglecting the populace’s basic social and economic needs.
“By the end of 2023, residents learnt that Mvurwi Town was buying cars for the heads of departments. We would like to highlight to you that the transactions were done without any consultations or any form of notification to residents,” reads part of the letter signed by the residents secretary, Mr Holy Matare.
“We also feel that there are more urgent needs to be addressed since the Council is bypassing residents which is in violation of the constitution,” Matare added.
According to Chapter 9 of the constitution, (Principles of Public Administration and Leadership), with its section 194 (subsection e), people’s needs must be responded to within a reasonable time; and the public must be encouraged to participate in policy making.
“Subsection h further affirms that transparency must be fostered by providing the public with timely, accessible and accurate information,” Matare quotes in a letter.
Meanwhile, the residents have raised alarm on the Town’s further rot where executives are allegedly embarking on a series of expensive workshops which constantly bleed public funds.
“We also believe that expensive cars chosen during the purchase are not compatible with our financial capabilities. We believe all these cars could have cost residents only upto us$700,000 only,” Matare wrote.
Some local residents who requested anonymity for fear of victimisation by the former Army Captain (Magomo) and his cronies claimed that Minister Magomo always defends the culprits and pays deaf ears to their plight, hence chances are high that he is the major beneficiary to the perennial rot.
Magomo is not new to the controversy as the ex-soldier was once at loggerheads with Velvekia farmers in Guruve who were up in arms with him and his accomplice white farmer, one Duncan Wood.
The duo reportedly grabbed a tractor and planter under an agriculture scheme meant to benefit poor farmers at Velvekia in Mashonaland Central.