Finance, Forensic and Audit experts for Rusape Town

BySimon Wadharwa-Makoni

Following the placement of the Rusape Town Council Secretary Mr Solomon Gabaza on forced leave, the Local Government and Public Works Minister, Honourable July Moyo appointed a committee to investigate the allegations that are being levelled against the Town Secretary. This committee is going to be chaired by Ms Dhauramanzi and other members of the committee include Mr Mandeya and Mr Gopoza. This committee was appointed in terms of section 311 of the Urban Councils Act. The minister’s committee is more of Finance, Forensic and Audit except for one guy Mr Gopoza who is more of an administrator.

The Makoni DDC Mr Mashindi, who happens to be very close to Mr Gabaza, wrote a letter to the Council Chairman on the same day the council chairperson receives a letter from the Minister but the DDC’s letter was received first. It is being suspected that Mr Mashindi did this in a bid to halt Mr Gabaza's suspension, despite being aware that the investigations which brought the recommendations for such suspension were done by a lawful committee via section 100 of the Urban Councils Act. It followed that Mr Mashindi vetoed the powers of such a lawful committee and reciprocated by slowing down the speed of that same committee.  Information we gathered  after problem of interpreting his letter  arises was that the DDC was trying to stop the committee as this publication is reliably informed that he called the council officials and tell them that the acting PDC Manicaland Mr Seenza instructed him to stop the committee from investigating. It is further alleged that the DDC said that he was doing what he had been instructed to do by Minister Moyo, contrary to the fact that, on the same day, Minister Moyo also wrote his own letter, which means it was useless for Mr Mashindi to serve his letter to the Chairman when the Minister can do that directly, with clear authority, since the Urban Councils Act is within his lawful ambits.

Our own investigations have revealed that the Committee that had been put in place had ably executed its lawful duties it was mandated to do. All that still needed to be done was for a committee appointed by the Minister to do its duties as well, and bring finality to the issues at stake. As a result, the residents of Rusape are disgruntled and even went as far as directly contesting the move by the Minister to dissolve the first committee, since the public is now worried, and now of the view that the incoming committee has the intention to side with Mr Gabaza, since one of its members, Mr Gopoza, are very good longtime friends. They are often seen at pubs together. It is suspected that the Minister does not know this, thus the need for Mr Gopoza, because of vested interests and propensity to side with his friend, not to be part of such an esteemed committee. People now fear for the repeat of what was once done by that DCC Masawi Committee of Marondera here in Rusape.

Honourable Minister July Moyo's decision is indisputably noble, but there is a compelling need to consider those who were part of the first investigating team and also others from 'outside' since they are much versed with forensics. The local Rusape residents have, on very good authority, Mr Gabaza's words of his own mouth that he was going to fight his way back via any means at his disposal. He even swore that no action will be taken against him, which now seems to be the same trajectory he did highlight.

The residents wish to categorically put it that no one is personally against Mr Gabaza at all. What the people do not want is to see him back without justice being done. Mr Gabaza did more harm to Rusape than any good. He succeeded Mr Maligwa, who is now in Mutare. Mr Maligwa was a darling of almost everyone, no questionable trails in all his undertakings. He was real man of action. It is true that Mr Gabaza has some awards that he pocketed during his tenure, but it was during the early days of Mr Maligwa’s departure, who many believe, set the good grounds of the success of his successor. Those awards, truly speaking, belonged to Mr Maligwa. Records have it that there are no any new vehicles that were bought, except the ones that were procured during Mr Maligwa’s time. Vhengere Clinic is in a very sorry state as we speak. It only had 'uplifts' during Mr Maligwas time, and one would wonder if ever Mr Gabaza is pro-development, or is only obsessed with fighting for and unfettered retention for his position. Sewage is everywhere in the locations, with most doors of council buildings are wire-hinged. Even the Inter Ministerial Taskforce found out that Rusape truly needs a good and qualified leader. Our leadership, including from the Ministry should promote a corruption free working environment for its workers, whist at the same time making sure that the people MUST be afforded a chance to voice their concerns regarding capacity building, with a chance to have their concerns heard loud and clear.

Most residents are waiting for the coming in of the Minister appointed investigating team as from anytime from now. These said investigation team will take seven days in Rusape. We are looking forward to a better job, since most council workers were reluctant to give evidence to the investigating committee that had been appointed by the Chairman for fear of reprisals, they feared a vindictive streak by visited upon them.

In the words of Mr Gabaza's de-facto spokesperson, Godfrey Mufuranhewe, a.k.a Joytec, its signals that the Director of Housing refused to attest before the investigators since he knew that most shenanigans were done in his very same circles. Residents are complaining why Gabaza has such free reign, he operates unfettered, even justice seems to fail to tame him. Residents are almost surrendering everything to God.

As we speak, residents are waiting for the coming Minister’s Committee and at the same time to see how this whole saga is going to be brought to finality, everything being equal. It is still to be seen whether the Minister will let the town of Rusape being brought to naughty as he watches. Gabaza’s blunders are very lucid that even school children know who exactly Gabaza is. His failures and blunders define him more than use of words. Too much ‘braggadism’, talkativeness is everyday pabulum and are in the public eye. The public is aware that his words that nothing will be done to him, would match reality.